Russian Drone Strikes Kill Medics, Intensify Kharkiv Region Attacks

Kharkiv, Ukraine – March 15, 2026 – Russian forces continue to target the Kharkiv region with drone strikes, resulting in the deaths of two medical personnel and injuries to others. The attacks, utilizing First-Person View (FPV) drones, are raising concerns about the safety of emergency workers and civilians in the area.

Recent Attacks and Casualties

On March 15, at approximately 05:00 near the village of Chervona Khvylia in the Velykoburlutsk community of the Kupyansk district, a Russian FPV drone struck an ambulance, according to the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office . A medical technician and a 27-year-classic paramedic were killed, and a 53-year-old ambulance worker sustained multiple injuries and was hospitalized.

This attack follows a similar incident on August 28, 2025, where a Russian FPV drone attacked an emergency medical vehicle in Kupyansk, wounding two ambulance workers aged 50 and 47 . On August 27, 2025, a Russian FPV drone also struck a civilian car in Kupyansk, injuring a married couple .

on August 27, 2025, the village of Tsypivka, Kharkiv district, was struck, resulting in a fire that damaged a private residential building and an outbuilding, though no casualties were reported in that incident .

Ongoing Conflict in the Kharkiv Region

The Kharkiv region continues to be a focal point of conflict. On March 15, fighting was reported in the Kupyansk and Liman directions. Russian forces attempted to storm the villages of Novoosinovo and Glushkovka in the Kupyansk direction, and launched assaults near the settlements of Liman and Drobyshevo in the Liman direction.

Prior to March 15, on August 22, 2025, a strike involving Russian FPV drones in the village of Kurganne, Kupiansk district, resulted in one death and three injuries .

Investigations and Legal Action

Ukrainian authorities have launched investigations into these incidents as potential war crimes. The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office has initiated pre-trial investigations under Part 1, Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine regarding the attacks in Kupyansk and Tsypivka , and Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine concerning the attack near Chervona Khvylia .

Changes to Kharkiv Metro Schedule

Due to the unstable energy situation, the Kharkiv metro has implemented a recent train schedule effective March 16, 2026, with adjusted intervals throughout the day .