Russia Launches Massive Drone Attacks on Kyiv, Southern Ukraine

Defense News ,Ukraine Russia War :- In a series of overnight drone attacks on Kyiv and southern Ukraine, Russia inflicted damage on residential areas, a gas pipeline, and infrastructure in Mykolaiv, according to Ukraine's military on Sunday.

Ukraine's Air Force reported on the Telegram messaging app that their air defense systems successfully neutralized 40 out of 45 Shahed attack drones launched by Russia overnight. Serhiy Popko, the head of Kyiv's military administration, shared on Telegram that the air alert in the capital lasted nearly two hours. Fortunately, all approaching drones over Kyiv were intercepted, with no reported casualties or destruction in or around the city. The skies over Kyiv were declared clear by 4 a.m. (0200 GMT).

The southern military command of Ukraine, also on Telegram, disclosed that its air defense systems engaged for over five hours, destroying 26 Shahed drones launched by Russia. The attacks were concentrated over various southern regions, particularly the Mykolaiv region near the Black Sea. The military confirmed at least one civilian injury in the southern Ukraine attack.

The military emphasized that the enemy's focus was primarily on the coastal strip, targeting infrastructure and agro-industrial facilities. Falling debris from a downed drone and the resulting blast wave caused damage to residential buildings and a gas pipeline in Mykolaiv.

The military command reported four drones downed over the Black Sea port of Odesa. Reuters was unable to independently verify the reports. Both Russia and Ukraine have intensified their air attacks beyond the frontline in recent months, targeting critical energy, military, and transport infrastructure. The escalation in drone warfare underscores the growing intensity of the conflict between the two nations.