Kyiv hit by largest Russian drone attack as city marks founding
Russia has unleashed waves of air strikes on Kyiv, in what Ukrainian officials said was the largest drone attack on the capital since the start of the war.
Of 54 drones launched by Moscow in attacks before dawn yesterday, 40 were aimed at Kyiv, officials said.
Two people were killed and three wounded.
The attacks came on the last Sunday of May, when Ukraine’s capital celebrates Kyiv Day, the anniversary of its founding 1,541 years ago.
“It’s the most important drone attack against the capital since the start of the invasion” in February 2022,” the regional military authority said on Telegram yesterday.
Attacks “took place over several waves and the air raid alert lasted more than five hours”, officials said.
“According to preliminary reports, more than 40 Russian drones were destroyed by air defences” over Kyiv, the authority said. The 54 drones were launched from the regions of Bryansk and Krasnodar in Russia, the Ukrainian Air Force said.
Moscow wanted to attack “military installations and critical infrastructure in the centre of the country, in particular the Kyiv region”, it said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday praised his country’s defences and rescue services.
“You look up to destroy enemy missiles, aircraft, helicopters and drones. Every time you shoot down enemy drones and missiles, lives are saved … you are heroes,” he said.
It comes as Kyiv finalises plans for a major counteroffensive to recover territory occupied by Russian troops.
Meanwhile, Russia’s ambassador to the UK has warned of an escalation in the conflict, as Britain and other western powers commit to sending more military aid to Ukraine.
Andrei Kelin told the BBC the actions of Nato countries, “especially the UK”, may create a “new dimension” in the war.