Russian Drone Attack on Kyiv Marks Largest Offensive Since Start of War, Ukrainian Officials Report

Russia conducted its most significant drone attack on the capital city of Kyiv since the beginning of the invasion, local officials reported on Saturday. According to Mykhailo Shamanov, a spokesman for the Kyiv city military administration, over 40 drones were intercepted, arriving in several waves from various directions.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported a high number of Shahed-131/136 type drones, with the capital being the primary target. A CNN producer in Kyiv witnessed loud explosions and repeated bangs as drones flew overhead. The city's military administration advised residents to take cover, stating that a large number of enemy UAVs were entering Kyiv from various directions and urged people to stay in shelters until the all-clear was given.

It was the fourth drone attack on Kyiv this month, according to Shamanov.

At least two people were injured in Kyivs Solomianskyi district, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko.

Multiple fires broke out in the Solomianskyi district, including a residential building and other non-residential facilities, as reported by Klitschko. He also mentioned that a five-story residential building in Solomianskyi district suffered damage on the second floor, and debris from crashed drones landed on two residential buildings - one in Dniprovskyi district and the other in Holosiivskyi district.

In a separate announcement, Serhii Popko, the director of the Kyiv city military administration, reported that a fire had erupted at a kindergarten in the Solomianskyi district after a drone was shot down. The Energy Ministry of the country stated that the attack resulted in the disruption of power to an overhead line, affecting 77 residential buildings and 120 establishments in the city center.