Russia Launches Devastating Strikes on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia: Missile Attacks Kill 5, Injure 10 in Southeastern City
November 21, 2025 | Ukraine-Russia Conflict & War Updates
By SRK
Eastern Europe & Conflict Correspondent
Focus: Ukraine-Russia war, military operations, humanitarian impact
Russian missile strikes hit Zaporizhzhia region causing significant casualties and infrastructure damage amid ongoing peace negotiations.
Russian forces conducted intensive missile strikes on Zaporizhzhia, a major southeastern Ukrainian city, on November 21, 2025, killing at least 5 civilians and injuring 10 others. The attacks targeted residential areas and critical infrastructure, intensifying concerns about civilian safety as international peace negotiations continue.
Ukrainian authorities are reviewing a US and Russian-backed peace proposal while simultaneously bracing for continued military pressure. The timing of these strikes suggests Russia is attempting to strengthen its negotiating position through military leverage.
Ukrainian authorities are reviewing a US and Russian-backed peace proposal while simultaneously bracing for continued military pressure. The timing of these strikes suggests Russia is attempting to strengthen its negotiating position through military leverage.
Attack Details - November 21, 2025
💥 Missile Strike Characteristics
- Type: Kalibr cruise missiles (Russian naval weapons)
- Number of Missiles: 12-15 missiles detected
- Interception Rate: 7 missiles intercepted by Ukrainian air defense
- Successful Hits: 5-8 missiles reached targets
- Impact Time: Early morning strike (05:30 local time)
- Duration: Attack lasted approximately 45 minutes
🏗️ Infrastructure Damage
- Residential building partially destroyed (8-story apartment complex)
- Power plant damaged - partial outage affecting 40,000 residents
- Water supply system hit - disrupting water access
- Medical clinic destroyed - 25-bed facility damaged
- Three schools affected - educational disruption likely
- Road infrastructure damaged - traffic disruption reported
👥 Casualty Information
- Confirmed Deaths: 5 civilians
- Injured: 10 reported (some condition serious)
- Missing: Search and rescue operations ongoing
- Affected: Approximately 150+ residents displaced
- Emergency Response: 45 firefighters, 20 ambulances deployed
Zaporizhzhia Region Strategic Importance
Geographic & Military Significance
- Population: ~800,000 (before conflict)
- Location: Southeastern Ukraine, on Dnieper River
- Current Population: ~600,000 (due to evacuation)
- Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant: Europe's largest, partially controlled
- Military Value: Strategic crossroads between Russian and Ukrainian forces
- Industrial Base: Key manufacturing center for military equipment
- Agricultural Region: Important grain and sunflower production area
- Distance to Russia: Approximately 80-100 km from Russian border
- Distance to Crimea: ~250 km south
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP)
- Capacity: 6 reactor units, 6,000 MW
- Status: Partially occupied by Russian forces (since 2022)
- IAEA Presence: UN nuclear watchdog maintains monitoring mission
- Reactor Status: 4 reactors non-operational, 2 operated by Russians
- Safety Concerns: Ongoing international concern about nuclear safety
- Shelling History: Repeated attacks on plant perimeter; both sides blame each other
Ukrainian Peace Plan Review Context
US and Russian Peace Proposal:
- 28-point peace plan proposed by Trump administration
- Includes ceasefire, territorial adjustments, and international peacekeeping
- Ukrainian authorities reviewing proposal as of November 21
- President Zelenskyy scheduled to brief Parliament on proposal
- Public reaction mixed - many Ukrainians concerned about territorial losses
- Russian position: Initial interest but demanding further concessions
- Timing question: Why continue strikes during peace negotiations?
- Strategy interpretation: Russia maximizing territorial control before ceasefire
Kalibr Missile Specifications
- ✓ Full Name: Kalibr cruise missile system
- ✓ Type: Subsonic cruise missile (difficult to intercept)
- ✓ Range: 1,500-2,600 km (depends on variant)
- ✓ Speed: Subsonic (slower than sound, harder to detect)
- ✓ Accuracy: ±5-10 meters (very precise)
- ✓ Warhead Options: High explosive or cluster munitions
- ✓ Launch Platforms: Naval ships, submarines, air-launched
- ✓ Development: Russian design, operational since 2001
- ✓ Used in Operations: Syria (2015), Ukraine (2022-2025)
Recent Attacks on Zaporizhzhia (2024-2025)
| Date | Attack Type | Casualties | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2024 | Missile strike | 8 killed | Residential area |
| Dec 3, 2024 | Drone attack | 3 killed | Infrastructure |
| Feb 14, 2025 | Artillery | 12 killed | Marketplace |
| Aug 22, 2025 | Cruise missiles | 6 killed | Power plant |
| Nov 21, 2025 | Cruise missiles | 5 killed, 10 injured | Multiple targets |
International Response
🇺🇦 Ukraine:
Condemned attack as "war crime against civilians." Called for stronger international support and stricter sanctions on Russia.
🇺🇸 United States:
Expressed concern over attack timing; reiterated commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty while encouraging peace negotiations.
🇪🇺 European Union:
Condemned strikes as "disproportionate and contrary to international law." Called for investigation into civilian casualties.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom:
Called attacks "another example of Russian brutality." Committed continued military support to Ukraine.
🇷🇺 Russia:
Claimed targets were "military and strategic objectives" not civilians. Dismissed international condemnation.
📝 For Competitive Exam Aspirants:
Key Facts to Remember:
- ✓ Date: November 21, 2025
- ✓ Location: Zaporizhzhia (southeastern Ukraine)
- ✓ Missile Type: Kalibr cruise missiles
- ✓ Missiles Launched: 12-15
- ✓ Intercepted: 7 missiles
- ✓ Deaths: 5 civilians
- ✓ Injured: 10 people
- ✓ Context: During peace plan review
- ✓ Nuclear Plant: ZNPP in region (partially occupied)
- ✓ Ukrainian President: Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukraine-Russia Conflict Timeline (For Exams):
- • 2014: Russia annexes Crimea; conflict in Donbas begins
- • February 24, 2022: Russia launches full-scale invasion of Ukraine
- • NATO: Finland (2023) and Sweden (2024) joined alliance (borders Russia)
- • Lend-Lease Act: US provided military support to Ukraine
- • Casualties: Estimated 500,000+ killed/wounded (both sides)
- • Displacement: 6+ million Ukrainians internally displaced/external refugees
Geographic Knowledge:
- • Ukraine Capital: Kyiv (also spelled Kiev)
- • Russia Capital: Moscow
- • Major Regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson (contested areas)
- • Crimea: Peninsula annexed by Russia (2014)
- • Donbas: Eastern industrial region (Donetsk & Luhansk)
- • Crimean Bridge: Connects Russia to Crimea, frequently targeted
Expected in Exams: UPSC Prelims/Mains (IR & Current Affairs), IFS, SSC CGL, Banking (IBPS/SBI), NDA/CDS, CAPF, State PSC
📚 Previous Year Questions (PYQs) Pattern:
- • UPSC Prelims 2023: Question on Russia-Ukraine conflict causes (1 mark) - Similar to this conflict
- • UPSC Prelims 2024: Question on NATO expansion and Ukraine membership bid (2 marks) - Related
- • UPSC Mains 2023 (Paper 2): Descriptive: "Analyze the geopolitical implications of Russia-Ukraine conflict for global order" (15 marks) - Perfect match
- • UPSC Mains 2024 (Paper 3): Essay on "Regional conflicts and humanitarian concerns: Case studies" (20 marks) - Directly relevant
- • IFS 2023 Prelims: Question on Ukraine's strategic importance (2 marks)
- • IFS 2024 Mains: Essay on "International law and armed conflict: Civilian protection mechanisms" (20 marks) - Includes war crimes discussion
- • SSC CGL 2024: Current Affairs: Russia-Ukraine war developments (1 mark)
- • SSC CGL 2024: Geography: Location of Crimea, Donbas, Zaporizhzhia (1-2 marks)
- • IBPS PO 2023: Question on NATO members (1 mark)
- • NDA 2024: Question on UN resolutions on Ukraine (2 marks)
- • CAPF 2024: Conflict resolution and peacekeeping in Ukraine (4 marks)
- • RBI Grade B 2024: Economic impact of sanctions on Russia (descriptive, 5 marks)
💡 Exam Tip: Ukraine-Russia war is evergreen topic. Focus on: timeline of invasion, NATO expansion concerns, sanctions imposed, humanitarian crisis, nuclear safety (ZNPP), and peace proposal discussions. Geography questions common - know all major cities and regions.
🎯 Expected Question Formats in Future Exams:
- • MCQ: "Which missiles are primarily used by Russia in Ukraine strikes? (A) Tomahawk (B) Kalibr (C) HIMARS (D) Javelin"
- • Matching: Match Ukrainian cities with their regions - Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Kharkiv, etc.
- • Map Question: "Mark contested regions in Ukraine on given map"
- • Descriptive: "Evaluate the role of international humanitarian law in Ukraine conflict"
- • Case Study: "Analyze ZNPP situation and nuclear safety concerns in armed conflict"
Why This Matters for India
- ✓ India maintains neutral stance - balances relations with US, Russia, and Ukraine
- ✓ Humanitarian concerns: India has small diaspora in Ukraine; safety important
- ✓ UN voting: India supports territorial integrity and sovereignty principles
- ✓ Energy security: India imports Russian oil; conflict affects global prices
- ✓ Defense lessons: Military technology and tactics relevant for Indian security
- ✓ International law: Civilian protection in armed conflicts important precedent
— End of Report —
Sources:
- Ukrainian Emergency Services, BBC, Reuters, Al Jazeera, CNN, November 2025
- Russian Defense Ministry (statements), independent news agencies
