Russia launched ‘largest drone attack’ on Ukrainian capital before Kyiv Day
Ukraine’s capital was subjected to the largest drone attack since the start of the war, local officials said, as Kyiv prepared to mark the anniversary of its founding on Sunday. At least one person was killed, but officials said scores of drones were shot down, demonstrating Ukraine’s air defense capability, AP reported.
Russia launched the “most massive attack” on the city overnight Saturday with what Serhii Popko, a senior Kyiv military official, claimed were Iranian-made drones. Iran has always rejected the allegations that it supplied Russia with domestic drones.
The attack lasted more than five hours, with air defense reportedly shooting down more than 40 drones.
Kyiv Day marks the anniversary of the city’s official founding.
Attacks against Russian border
Russia’s southern Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine, also came under attack from Ukrainian forces on Saturday, local officials said. Regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov reported Sunday that a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy were wounded in the shelling.
Drone attacks against Russian border regions have been a regular occurrence since the start of the war in February 2022, with attacks increasing last month. Earlier this month, an oil refinery in Krasnodar was attacked by drones on two straight days.