Ukrainian forces shot down 13 drones Wednesday, as Russia launched its first major drone strike on the capital in weeks and the United States was considering sending the advanced Patriot air defense system to aid Ukraine, officials said.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the blasts shook the central district of Shevchenkivskyi and damaged two administrative buildings. An air raid warning was lifted three hours after it started.
Serhii Popko, head of the military administration of the city of Kyiv, said: 13 drones destroyed????????
In one district of Kiev, residents said they heard the sound of the Iranian Shahed drone, known to Ukrainians as “mopeds” because of the loud hum of its engines, followed by a powerful explosion in a building close to their home.
“I was in the kitchen – heard everything – heard the buzz and ran to the bathroom,” said Yana, 39, preparing to go to work.
The windows of some houses in the surrounding area were broken. Pieces of the roof, along with bricks and other rubble, were scattered in the snow. Citizens, who hugged tightly against the cold, examined the damage.
They said no one looked hurt.
Invading Ukraine on February 24, in what it calls a “special military operation” to “seaize” its neighbor, Russia has launched missile attacks on its energy infrastructure since October. Ukraine’s grid operator said its electrical utilities were not damaged in Wednesday’s attack.
Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said the attack was carried out deliberately at dusk to make it harder to shoot down the drones.
The air defense worked well,” he said. “Thirteen (drones) shot down.”
“Well done, I’m proud,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a short video message, praising the air defense systems he said looked like they had shot down all the drones.
Ukraine received air defense systems from the West, including from the USA. Patriot is considered one of the most advanced.
US officials told Reuters an announcement about the decision to procure the system could come as early as Thursday. The Patriot often falls short as allies around the world compete for him.
The Kremlin said on Wednesday that the US Patriot missile defense systems would be a legitimate target for Russia’s attacks on Ukraine if the US allowed their deliveries to support Kiev.
source: Noticias
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.