Explosions rock Kyiv as Russia launches drone attack on Ukraine
KYIV, Sept 10 (Reuters) – The Ukrainian capital of Kyiv was struck by nearly three dozen drones launched by Russia early on Sunday, causing widespread blasts and debris to fall across several districts, according to Ukrainian officials.
Eyewitnesses reported that explosions illuminated the night sky as air defences engaged the incoming targets. The blasts were heard throughout the city, with at least one plume of smoke rising from between buildings.
One resident of Kyiv, named Liudmyla, described her terrifying experience, saying, “I heard the buzzing of the Iranian-made drones before a blast wave shattered windows in my building and the jars on my windowsill. It was a very frightening experience – I can’t even put it into words.”
The state emergency service confirmed that debris had fallen in three different districts, but fortunately, there was no serious damage. However, four people were reported wounded.
Regional Governor Ruslan Kravchenko took to Facebook to announce that an unspecified infrastructure facility and eight houses had been damaged by the overnight strikes.
Ukraine’s air force promptly responded to the attack, destroying 26 out of the 33 drones launched by Russia, all of which were targeted at Kyiv and its surrounding region.
As of now, there has been no comment from Russia regarding the attacks. It is worth noting that Moscow has frequently conducted air strikes on Ukrainian population centres that are far from the front lines of its ongoing invasion, which has been in progress for the past 18 months.
In a separate incident, Ukrainian officials reported that a Russian attack on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of 17 people in the eastern city of Kostiantynivka.
Reporting on the situation in Kyiv were Tom Balmforth, Gleb Garanich, and Ivan Lyubysh-Kirdey. Lidia Kelly provided coverage from Melbourne, and Elaine Monaghan from Washington. The article was edited by Mark Heinrich and Giles Elgood.
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