Russian FPV Drone Strikes Kharkiv Gas Station for Second Time, Injuring 22-Year-Old Woman

KHARKIV, Ukraine, July 22, 2026 — A Russian first-person view (FPV) drone attacked a gas station in Kharkiv’s Nemyshlyanskyi district on Tuesday, injuring a 22-year-old woman, local authorities and emergency services reported.

This marks the second such strike on a fuel retail site in the city in recent weeks, highlighting the persistent threat of low-cost, precision-guided drones targeting civilian infrastructure in border regions.

According to preliminary information, the drone struck the territory of the gas station during the day, causing damage to facilities and triggering an emergency response. The injured woman received medical assistance on site or was hospitalized with injuries consistent with the blast and shrapnel effects.

No fatalities were immediately reported from this incident. Emergency crews worked to extinguish any resulting fires and secure the area.

Pattern of attacks on civilian sites

Kharkiv, located near the Russian border, has faced repeated drone and missile strikes throughout the war. FPV drones, often guided via fiber-optic cables to resist electronic jamming, have become a favored tool for Russian forces due to their accuracy and relative affordability.

Ukrainian officials have condemned such attacks as deliberate targeting of civilian objects, which can disrupt daily life, fuel supplies, and heighten public anxiety in frontline cities.

Local authorities urged residents to remain vigilant, follow air raid alerts, and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity during heightened threats.

Russia has not commented on the specific strike in verified public statements. Moscow generally describes its operations in Ukraine as targeting military objectives while denying intentional harm.

Image: Illustrative / Gemini AI