“It’s a miracle I survived”: Mykolaiv residents describe Russia’s nighttime attack

During the night of October 20, 2026, Russian forces attacked Mykolaiv with a “Bandarol” missile and Shahed-type attack drones. Apartment buildings were damaged in the Inhulskyi district, and three cars were destroyed by fire. A 77-year-old woman was injured. Suspilne correspondents spoke with eyewitnesses about the attack, the condition of the building’s residents, and the aftermath of the shelling.

Residents of the damaged apartments were particularly affected by the strike: the blast wave shattered windows, damaged balconies, and caused extensive destruction. People say they woke up to a loud explosion, then soon saw flames and heard more explosions.

One resident, Olena, recalls waking up to an explosion. The windows in her apartment were shattered and the balcony structures damaged.

“Everything that could fly was coming at me, and there was a glow — that’s all I saw. I ran into the hallway. Fourth floor, look — the window, the balcony, and there, the metal structures. It was glazed, with double-glazed windows — everything went flying,” the woman said.

Another resident, Liudmyla, was also asleep when the blast shattered the glass in her room. Dust filled the apartment after the strike, and the woman says she could barely recover from the terror she had experienced.

“I was sleeping in this room where the glass blew out. I don’t know, it’s some kind of miracle that I wasn’t injured or killed. I ran straight into the hallway, and then panic set in. Cars were burning, there were explosions,” the woman says.

Another local resident, Alina, said she was overcome with fear and panic after the strike. Her Nissan X-Trail burned down, and her balcony and room were also damaged.

“At once, there was fear and panic, and we breathed in all sorts of exhaust fumes.”

The woman says her car was badly damaged and that the shelling was a traumatic ordeal for residents of the district.

“The balcony, the room, the Nissan X-Trail — it’s the second time it’s been hit. Now the glass, doors, locks, bumper — basically, it’s completely wrecked. It’s such a shame. I wish this would all end soon, because people are under a lot of stress,” Alina said.

According to Oleksandr Herasimenia, an adviser to the mayor, the attack on the city took place at around 1 a.m. At one location, five five-story buildings were damaged.

“At one location, five five-story buildings were damaged. Mainly, windows were shattered, and the roof and doors were damaged. Three cars burned down,” the adviser said.

According to available information, a 77-year-old woman was injured in the overnight attack and received medical assistance at the scene. The Russian strike damaged residents’ homes and property, while people in the affected buildings endured a night of explosions, fires, and destruction.

We previously reported:

• Two men in serious condition after Shahed and ballistic missile strikes on Mykolaiv
• Shaheds strike homes again: 15 buildings and three cars damaged in Mykolaiv
• After Shahed attacks on Mykolaiv: people injured, gas network, homes, and cars damaged
• Russian drone attack damages homes, cars, and a cultural institution in Mykolaiv
• Missile strike destroys a house in Mykolaiv: aftermath of attacks over 24 hours