Russia strikes western Ukraine: person killed in Rivne, school hit, trucks burn in Kovel

Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine's western regions on the afternoon of October 16, striking civilian infrastructure in Rivne and Volyn oblasts. At least one person was killed in Rivne, and a school building was damaged in the attack. In the city of Kovel, multiple trucks caught fire at a freight depot.

The attack prompted Poland to scramble military aircraft and issue danger warnings to residents in border voivodeships. Polish authorities activated standard protocols when Russian weapons approach airspace near the Polish border.

Ukrainian air defense forces worked to intercept the incoming missiles and drones, but some projectiles reached their targets. Emergency services responded to multiple strike sites across both oblasts. The Rivne regional administration confirmed the fatality and called on residents to remain in shelters during ongoing air raid alerts.