Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that Ukrainian forces have shot down thirteen «kamikaze drones» launched by Russia against the capital, Kiev, before stressing that those were «all» used today by Russian forces against the city.
«This morning, the terrorists started with thirteen ‘Shahed’. Preliminarily, all thirteen were shot down by Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense. Well done. I am proud,» Zelensky said, Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reported. He also called on the population to seek shelter when the air alarms sound.
The head of the Kiev Civil-Military Administration, Serhii Popko, said that «thanks to the effective work of the air defense systems and units, thirteen kamikaze drones have been destroyed so far», although he indicated that «remains of the downed devices have hit an administrative building and four residential buildings, without causing any injuries».
Shortly before, the mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, had confirmed explosions in the capital and said that «most» of the drones had been shot down. Authorities had declared an air alert at around 6 a.m. local time in the Kiev, Yitomir and Vinitsia regions, as reported by the Ukrainian news agency UNIAN.
Meanwhile, Kharkov Governor Oleg Sinegubov has accused Russian forces of attacking with tanks, mortars and artillery in the Kupian district, while saying that the Ukrainian Army «has repelled attacks of Russian invaders in the Hrianikivka area of the Dvorichan community. «Voluntary evacuation of population to safer areas of the region continues,» he concluded.
