Russia launched waves of airstrikes on Kiev overnight in what officials said appeared to be the biggest drone attack on the city since the start of the war, as the Ukrainian capital prepared to celebrate the anniversary of its founding on Sunday.
The Air Force of Ukraine announced that it shot down 52 of the 54 drones launched by Russia, considering it a record attack of Iranian production. “kamikaze” drones. It was not immediately clear how many of the drones were fired at Kiev.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a 41-year-old man was killed by falling debris in the first deadly attack on Kiev in May and the 14th this month.
The pre-dawn attacks took place on the last Sunday in May, when the capital celebrates Kyiv Day, the anniversary of its official founding 1,541 years ago. The day is usually celebrated with street fairs, live concerts and special museum exhibitions, which are also planned this year, but on a smaller scale.
“Ukraine’s history has long been an irritant for insecure Russians,” said Andriy Yermak, head of the presidency. Vladimir Zelenskyin his office, according to his Telegram channel.
The Air Force reported on Telegram that Russia targeted military and critical infrastructure facilities in the central regions of Ukraine, particularly in the Kyiv region.
Reuters could not independently verify the information.
In an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive 15 months into the war, Moscow has stepped up airstrikes after a nearly two-month hiatus, targeting mostly military facilities and supplies. Now waves of attacks come several times a week.
Sunday’s attacks came after Kiev said fighting had eased around the besieged city of Bakhmut in southeastern Ukraine, the site of the war’s longest battle.
Serhii Popko, the head of Kiev’s military administration, said the attack was carried out in several waves and the air alerts lasted for more than five hours.
“Today, the enemy has decided to ‘congratulate’ the people of Kyiv on the occasion of Kyiv Day with the help of their deadly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),” Popko said on the Telegram message channel.
Officials said several areas of Kiev, Ukraine’s largest city with a population of about 3 million, were hit by overnight attacks, including the historic Pechersk district.
Reuters witnesses said many people stood on their balconies shouting insults at Russian President Vladimir Putin and chanting “Glory to the air defense” as the air raid alerts began shortly after midnight.
Falling debris in the leafy Holosievsky district in southwestern Kiev burned down a three-story warehouse, destroying about 1,000 square meters of buildings, Mayor Klitschko said.
A fire broke out after debris from a drone fell on a seven-story non-residential building in the west of the city, in the Solomyansk district. The district is a busy rail and air transport hub.
A fire broke out on the roof of a nine-story building in the Pechersk region, and a store was damaged in the Darnytsky region, representatives of the Kyiv military administration reported on Telegram.
The Air Force of Ukraine announced that it shot down 52 of the 54 drones launched by Russia, considering it a record attack of Iranian production. “kamikaze” drones. It was not immediately clear how many of the drones were fired at Kiev.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a 41-year-old man was killed by falling debris in the first deadly attack on Kiev in May and the 14th this month.
The pre-dawn attacks took place on the last Sunday in May, when the capital celebrates Kyiv Day, the anniversary of its official founding 1,541 years ago. The day is usually celebrated with street fairs, live concerts and special museum exhibitions, which are also planned this year, but on a smaller scale.
“Ukraine’s history has long been an irritant for insecure Russians,” said Andriy Yermak, head of the presidency. Vladimir Zelenskyin his office, according to his Telegram channel.
The Air Force reported on Telegram that Russia targeted military and critical infrastructure facilities in the central regions of Ukraine, particularly in the Kyiv region.
Reuters could not independently verify the information.
In an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive 15 months into the war, Moscow has stepped up airstrikes after a nearly two-month hiatus, targeting mostly military facilities and supplies. Now waves of attacks come several times a week.
Sunday’s attacks came after Kiev said fighting had eased around the besieged city of Bakhmut in southeastern Ukraine, the site of the war’s longest battle.
Serhii Popko, the head of Kiev’s military administration, said the attack was carried out in several waves and the air alerts lasted for more than five hours.
“Today, the enemy has decided to ‘congratulate’ the people of Kyiv on the occasion of Kyiv Day with the help of their deadly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),” Popko said on the Telegram message channel.
Officials said several areas of Kiev, Ukraine’s largest city with a population of about 3 million, were hit by overnight attacks, including the historic Pechersk district.
Reuters witnesses said many people stood on their balconies shouting insults at Russian President Vladimir Putin and chanting “Glory to the air defense” as the air raid alerts began shortly after midnight.
Falling debris in the leafy Holosievsky district in southwestern Kiev burned down a three-story warehouse, destroying about 1,000 square meters of buildings, Mayor Klitschko said.
A fire broke out after debris from a drone fell on a seven-story non-residential building in the west of the city, in the Solomyansk district. The district is a busy rail and air transport hub.
A fire broke out on the roof of a nine-story building in the Pechersk region, and a store was damaged in the Darnytsky region, representatives of the Kyiv military administration reported on Telegram.