Russia on Saturday launched its largest drone attack against Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv since the start of its invasion, according to local officials.
A total of almost 75 Shahed drones were deployed in a coordinated attack from two directions – Primorsko-Akhtarsk and the Kursk region, Russia, with the primary target being the city of Kyiv, as reported by Ukraine’s Air Force on Telegram. Describing the onslaught as a “record number” of drones, the air defenses successfully intercepted 71 of the Iranian-made drones across six regions of Ukraine, with the majority neutralized in the Kyiv region.
Ukraine’s Air Force detailed the multifaceted response to the attack, involving anti-aircraft missile troops, tactical aviation, mobile fire groups, and electronic warfare units. They also reported the destruction of a Kh-59 guided missile in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Mykhailo Shamanov, a spokesperson for the Kyiv city military administration, described multiple waves of drones approaching the capital from different directions. its largest drone attack
Residents in Kyiv experienced loud explosions and repeated bangs as drones flew overhead, prompting the military administration to issue warnings for people to seek shelter. The city has witnessed four drone attacks this month alone, according to Shamanov.
Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko reported at least two injuries in the Solomianskyi district, with fires breaking out in residential and non-residential locations. Damage to a five-story residential building and debris from downed drones falling on buildings in the Dniprovskyi and Holosiivskyi districts were also noted.
In a separate statement, Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv city military administration, confirmed a fire at a kindergarten in the Solomianskyi district after a drone was downed. The situation underscores the escalating threat posed by drone attacks in the ongoing conflict.