On May 4, Russian occupation forces reportedly targeted the village of Bezliudivka in the Kharkiv region using a ‘Bandarole’ type drone missile, according to preliminary data from local prosecutors.
Yuriy Papusha, head of the Kharkiv regional prosecutor’s office, confirmed during a telethon that multiple types of weaponry were employed in the attacks across the region. He specifically noted the incident in Bezliudivka, where three individuals sustained injuries, indicating that a ‘Bandarole’ missile was likely responsible.
While Papusha stated that the evidence collected at the site suggests the use of this particular missile, he emphasized that definitive confirmation would require further expert analysis. The Ukrainian Air Force also indicated that they had not yet received official verification of the missile type used in the attack.
Colonel Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Air Force, highlighted that the ‘Bandarole’ missile, which is launched from the Russian Orion reconnaissance-strike drone, had been previously deployed in southern regions of Ukraine. This marks the first reported use of this missile type in the Kharkiv area since the onset of the full-scale conflict.
The ‘Bandarole’ is manufactured by the sanctioned company Kronshtadt, which also produces the Orion drone. This missile is noted for its ability to execute tighter turns compared to conventional Russian cruise missiles while maintaining a similar flight trajectory. It has a warhead weighing up to 150 kg and can travel distances of up to 500 km at speeds of 500 km/h, utilizing aviation kerosene as fuel.
Earlier on the same day, local authorities reported damage to a private residence in Bezliudivka, with a 48-year-old woman among the injured. Additionally, two elderly individuals, aged 69, experienced acute stress reactions but did not require hospitalization.
In a separate incident, Russian forces reportedly launched a missile strike, likely using a ballistic Iskander, on the town of Merefa in the Kharkiv region. As of the evening of May 4, reports indicated seven fatalities and over 30 injuries, prompting local officials to declare three days of mourning.
A recent drone attack in Bezliudivka marks the first reported use of the 'Bandarole' missile in the Kharkiv region, resulting in injuries and damage. Concurrently, a separate missile strike in Merefa has led to multiple casualties.