Russia launches largest drone attack yet, Kyiv officials say

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Ukraine’s capital suffered its worst drone attack since the start of the Russian war, local officials said, as Kyiv prepared to mark the anniversary of its founding on Sunday. At least someone died.

Russia launched its “biggest attack” on the city on Saturday with Iranian-made Shahed drones, said Serhii Popko, a senior Kyiv military official. The attack lasted more than five hours, with air defenses reportedly shooting down more than 40 drones.

A 41-year-old man was killed and a 35-year-old woman was hospitalized when debris fell on seven nonresidential buildings and started a fire, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Ukraine’s air force said Saturday night also broke a record for Shahed drone strikes across the country. Of the 54 drones launched, 52 were shot down by air defense systems.

2 killed in shelling in the northeast

In northeastern Kharkiv province, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said a 61-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man were killed in two separate shooting attacks.

Kyiv Day marks the official anniversary of the founding of Kiev. This day is usually celebrated with live concerts, street fairs, fairs and fireworks. A scaled-up celebration is planned for this year, marking the city’s 1,541 year anniversary.

The timing of the drone strike was likely no coincidence, Ukrainian officials said.

“Ukraine’s history is a long-standing irritation for insecure Russians,” Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak said on Telegram.

“Today, the enemy decided to ‘congratulate’ Kyiv citizens on Kyiv Day with the help of a deadly UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle),” Popko also wrote on the messaging app.

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