Russia Conducts Drone Strikes on Kyiv and Southern Ukraine

Russia conducted drone strikes overnight targeting Kyiv and southern Ukraine, resulting in at least one civilian injury and damage to residential buildings and a gas pipeline in Mykolaiv, according to Ukraine’s military on Sunday.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that its air defense systems intercepted 40 out of 45 Shahed drones launched by Russia during the overnight assault.

“The air alert in the capital lasted nearly two hours,” stated Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration. He added that all drones were intercepted before reaching Kyiv, with preliminary assessments indicating no casualties or destruction in the area. The skies over the capital were declared clear shortly before 4 a.m.

The southern military command of Ukraine also reported that air defense systems operated for over five hours, successfully destroying 26 Russian-launched drones across several southern regions, primarily over Mykolaiv near the Black Sea.

While one civilian was reported injured in the southern strikes, the military noted that the primary targets for the attacks were coastal infrastructure and agro-industrial facilities. Falling debris from a destroyed drone and shock waves from explosions caused damage to residential areas and the gas pipeline in Mykolaiv.

Additionally, four drones were intercepted over the port city of Odesa.

Independent verification of these reports has not been possible. In recent months, both Russia and Ukraine have intensified air assaults beyond the front lines, focusing on each other’s crucial energy, military, and transportation infrastructure.