Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, has faced renewed attacks with heavy drone strikes for two consecutive nights. In the latest barrage, missiles were used, but no casualties have been reported so far.
Russia has launched 16 air attacks on Kyiv this month, typically occurring overnight. However, the most recent attack took place in mid-morning, targeting the city center. Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to seek shelter and warned about the potential danger of falling debris.
According to Air Force spokesman Yuri Ihnat, the latest attack involved the use of Iskander ballistic missiles, and there is a possibility that S-300 and S-400 missiles were also deployed. Air raid sirens were reportedly heard in several other regions of Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials have claimed to have destroyed most of the drones used in the weekend’s attacks. Additionally, explosions were reported in the Lviv, Odesa, Vinnytsya, and Khmelnytskyi regions.
In Khmelnytskyi, a military airfield was struck, resulting in damage to five aircraft and the runway, as confirmed by regional authorities.
Meanwhile, the governor of the Russian region of Belgorod stated that several frontier settlements were simultaneously shelled by Ukrainian forces.
Oleksandr Scherba, the ambassador-at-large at Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed that the recent days have been exceedingly difficult for the residents of Kyiv.
“Almost every night, the skies look and sound like another Star Wars episode, but we don’t feel much of Russian rockets hitting their targets here within the city area. And this is all thanks to the decent countries, decent people of the world who gave us this air defence,” he said.
Living in the capital was anything but normal at the moment, Mr Scherba said, adding that the drone attacks and sleepless nights had become “part of our routine”.
On Sunday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky praised his country’s air defence forces after Kyiv sustained the largest drone attack since the war began.
“You are heroes,” said Mr Zelensky, after military commanders said most of the so-called kamikaze drones launched by Russia were brought down.
Russia has stepped up its attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks, seeking to overwhelm the capital’s defences.
Saturday’s overnight attack came as the people of the capital prepared to celebrate Kyiv Day, the anniversary of the city’s foundation. In a remarkable demonstration of resilience, people took to parks, bars and restaurants in the capital to celebrate the holiday.
In its recent attacks, Russia – which launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 – has been using kamikaze drones as well as a range of cruise and ballistic missiles.
Analysts say Moscow is seeking to deplete and damage Ukraine’s air defences ahead of its long-expected counter-offensive.
On Saturday, one of Ukraine’s most senior security officials told the BBC the country was ready to launch such an operation.
Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the powerful National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, said an assault to retake territory from President Vladimir Putin’s occupying forces could begin “tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week”.
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