Ukraine's military reported a significant escalation in drone attacks by Russia, marking the most intense assault since the onset of the 2022 war. The capital city, Kyiv, bore the brunt of the attack, lasting over six hours, as detailed by Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk.
The assault involved 75 Iranian-made drones, with Ukraine claiming to have successfully neutralized 74 of them through air defences. While 66 air targets in the areas surrounding Kyiv were shot down, the city itself experienced the most massive drone attack, causing damage to several structures, including a kindergarten. At least five civilians, including an 11-year-old child, were wounded during the assault.
The attack, initiated at 4 a.m., resulted in power outages affecting 77 residential buildings and 120 institutions. Approximately 17,000 people experienced power disruptions, according to Ukraine's Energy Ministry.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the assault on the platform formerly known as Twitter, highlighting the timing on the eve of the Holodomor genocide commemoration day. He expressed pride in Ukraine's defence forces for downing the majority of the drones but emphasized the need to strengthen air defences to combat "Russian terror."
The Russian drone attack occurred following Ukraine's launch of a significant drone offensive on the Crimean Peninsula, marking one of the most substantial actions in the 21-month-long conflict. Ukrainian officials cited an intensified attempt to storm Avdiivka, a strategically important city in eastern Ukraine. Both sides appear to be making strategic moves as they navigate the challenges heading into the winter of 2024.
