«Just bang — and the windows shattered»: Mykolaiv residents about the drone attack «Molniia»

The aftermath of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

On Wednesday, 17 December, at around 19:20, Russian troops attacked Mykolaiv, using a drone «Molniia». No one was injured in the attack, but windows were smashed in a high-rise building, and a bus and gas network were damaged.

Local residents told NikVesti about the consequences of the Russian shelling.

A resident of the damaged apartment block, Sofiia Savun, recalls that the explosion was sudden and very loud.

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«Around half past eight in the evening, there was a very loud explosion. Of course, my little child and I were very scared, we ran into the corridor because we thought it was ballistics and there might be another hit. But, thank God, it was not ballistics, but a drone, and a small one, because it could have been even worse. At the time of arrival, there were no sounds: the windows in my room were open, so there was no engine noise or whistling — just «bang», and the windows fell off. I waited for about ten minutes for the lights to go off, didn't go near the windows. After the bell rang, I started to watch — people started to come out, then rescuers and ambulances arrived,» says Sofiia Savun.

Another local resident, Tatiana, says she was working at home at the time of the attack and did not understand what had happened at first.

«I was working and there was an explosion. We were very frightened, at first we did not understand what it was. I thought a bus had exploded, and then it became clear that it was an air raid. The window in the kitchen and in my room was smashed. I was sitting with my back to the wall, I just heard the explosion and immediately ran into the corridor, I was afraid to even look out the window,» Tetiana shares her memories.

The woman adds that she is afraid to use gas because of the damage to the gas network.

«I don't know if the gas is working or not. I'm still afraid to switch it on,» she says.

Residents of Mykolaiv look at a damaged house due to shelling, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Oleksandra, a resident of the house, says that, according to eyewitnesses, the drone did not hit the building, but a tree nearby, which caused the debris to fly.

«We heard a loud explosion and the windows flew out. People were very scared. Rescuers and ambulances arrived, but fortunately, there were no injuries — only the windows were shattered. The drone didn't hit the house, I was told that it hit a tree and everything flew around. A gas pipe was broken, but the gas workers quickly fixed it. First we saw a flash, and then there was an explosion. The children were very scared — our children are two and three years old. We were scared, took them and ran into the corridor. After the arrival, people ran out of the entrances, the rescuers arrived on time, fenced off everything and immediately started cleaning the glass,» says Oleksandra.

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

Consequences of the Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, 17 December 2025. Photo: NikVesti

As a reminder, on 18 December, Russians attacked energy facilities in Mykolaiv region. As a result of the attack, settlements in Voznesensk and Mykolaiv districts were left without electricity.