Russia launched one of the largest drone attacks on Ukraine, primarily targeting the Kyiv region. According to Ukrainian military officials, all 89 drones were shot down during the overnight assault, which lasted more than seven hours and came in two waves. This marks the largest attack on Kyiv so far this year and the seventh such attack this month. No residential or critical infrastructure was hit, and there were no casualties in the Kyiv region. However, 13 houses were damaged, and one fire was caused by the downed drones.
No Casualties but Significant Damage
Kyiv officials reported that the majority of the drone debris fell outside settlements, preventing any significant damage to residential or critical infrastructure. Dramatic footage from the Ukrainian Air Force showed a drone on fire falling from the sky, landing in a field with no visible damage. Despite the intensity of the attack, the effective response from Ukrainian air defense systems ensured that not a single drone reached its target.
Continued Attacks in Other Regions
While Kyiv was spared any casualties, other regions in Ukraine were not as fortunate. In the Mykolaiv region, Ukraine shot down an X-59 guided missile launched from occupied Kherson. However, separate attacks on eastern and southern Ukraine resulted in at least two deaths. In Kherson, a 68-year-old man was killed in a drone strike, and a 73-year-old woman was injured. In the Donetsk region, one resident of Toretsk was killed, and four others were injured in various attacks.
Ukraine Calls for More Air Defense Support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated the need for more air defense systems from allies, stating that Ukraine could fully protect its skies with sufficient supplies. The Biden administration responded by announcing a new aid package for Ukraine, totaling about $1.7 billion and consisting of missiles and ammunition for missile, artillery, and air defense systems. Zelensky emphasized the importance of courageous decisions from international partners to provide the necessary support for Ukraine to defend against Russian strikes effectively.
