KYIV: Ukraine’s capital has been the target of the biggest drone attack since the start of the war in Russia, local officials say, as Kyiv prepared to mark the anniversary of its founding on Sunday. At least one person was killed.
Russia launched “the most massive attack” on the city on Saturday night with Iranian-made Shahed “kamikaze” drones, a Kyiv military official said. The attack lasted more than five hours, the air defense reportedly shot down more than 40 drones. A 41-year-old man was killed and a 35-year-old woman was hospitalized when debris fell on a seven-story non-residential building and started a fire, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
Ukraine’s air force said Saturday night also broke records for Shahed drone attacks across the country. Of the 54 drones launched, 52 were shot down by air defense systems. In Kharkiv province, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said a 61-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man were killed in two separate bombings.
Kyiv Day marks the anniversary of the official founding of Kyiv. The day is usually celebrated with live concerts, street fairs, exhibitions and fireworks. Scaled-down festivities were planned for this year, the city’s 1,541st anniversary.
The timing of the drone attacks was likely no coincidence, Ukrainian officials said.
“The history of Ukraine is a long-standing irritant for insecure Russians,” said Ukraine’s top presidential aide, Andriy Yermak, said. “Today the enemy decided to ‘congratulate’ the people of Kiev on Kiev Day with the help of their deadly UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles),” Popko said. Local officials in Russia Krasnodar The region said air defense systems destroyed several drones approaching the Ilsky oil refinery. The Russian region of Belgorod, bordering Ukraine, was also attacked on Saturday by Ukrainian forces. Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy were injured in the shelling. PA
Russia launched “the most massive attack” on the city on Saturday night with Iranian-made Shahed “kamikaze” drones, a Kyiv military official said. The attack lasted more than five hours, the air defense reportedly shot down more than 40 drones. A 41-year-old man was killed and a 35-year-old woman was hospitalized when debris fell on a seven-story non-residential building and started a fire, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
Ukraine’s air force said Saturday night also broke records for Shahed drone attacks across the country. Of the 54 drones launched, 52 were shot down by air defense systems. In Kharkiv province, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said a 61-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man were killed in two separate bombings.
Kyiv Day marks the anniversary of the official founding of Kyiv. The day is usually celebrated with live concerts, street fairs, exhibitions and fireworks. Scaled-down festivities were planned for this year, the city’s 1,541st anniversary.
The timing of the drone attacks was likely no coincidence, Ukrainian officials said.
“The history of Ukraine is a long-standing irritant for insecure Russians,” said Ukraine’s top presidential aide, Andriy Yermak, said. “Today the enemy decided to ‘congratulate’ the people of Kiev on Kiev Day with the help of their deadly UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles),” Popko said. Local officials in Russia Krasnodar The region said air defense systems destroyed several drones approaching the Ilsky oil refinery. The Russian region of Belgorod, bordering Ukraine, was also attacked on Saturday by Ukrainian forces. Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy were injured in the shelling. PA
