Son of Shliach Lightly Injured in Russian Drone Attack

By COLlive reporter

A massive overnight barrage of drones and missiles across Ukraine reached the Jewish community in Dnipro, where a drone strike landed near the home of Rabbi Zelig Brez, a Chabad Shliach and director of the local Jewish community.

The drone, described as a “suicide drone,” struck an open area in close proximity to the residential building. The force of the blast, combined with falling interception debris, caused extensive damage to the Brez family’s apartment. Windows were completely blown out, and shrapnel penetrated multiple rooms.

One of Rabbi Brez’s children sustained light injuries from shattered glass and was treated on site. His condition is reported to be stable.

Images from the scene show a small crater near the building, smoke rising from the impact site, and visible damage to surrounding structures. Inside the home, window ledges were covered in broken glass, with household items overturned and personal belongings scattered.

Community members described the incident as a near tragedy. “It was a clear miracle that the injuries were so minor,” one resident said. “The blast was powerful—the entire building shook. Shrapnel and interception fragments struck directly. The child was hurt by glass, but his life was spared.”

Rabbi Brez is a senior figure in Dnipro’s Jewish community, operating under Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky. He helps oversee the city’s major Jewish institutions, including the Menorah Center, one of the largest Jewish centers in the world.

Since the outbreak of the war, Rabbi Brez has been heavily involved in humanitarian efforts, assisting thousands of Jewish refugees who have fled frontline areas in eastern Ukraine. These efforts are carried out in coordination with the Jewish Relief Network Ukraine (JRNU), which provides food, shelter, and emergency support across the country.

Dnipro, a key logistical and strategic hub for Ukraine, has faced intensified bombardment in recent weeks, with repeated strikes on residential buildings and infrastructure. Despite the ongoing danger, Chabad shluchim in the city continue to maintain Jewish communal life and operate critical support systems under fire.