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| Ukraine war: Kyiv attacked by kamikaze drones say officials | |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Smoke rises above Kyiv after a reported drone attack | Smoke rises above Kyiv after a reported drone attack |
| At least five explosions have been heard in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv - with a presidential adviser blaming "kamizake drones" sent by Russia. | |
| "It shows their desperation," said Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Zelensky's office. | |
| Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said residential buildings in the central Shevchenkivskiy area had been damaged. | Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said residential buildings in the central Shevchenkivskiy area had been damaged. |
| A week ago, the capital was hit by Russian missiles at rush hour, part of nationwide attacks which left 19 dead. | |
| The explosions on Monday began at around 06:30 local time (03:30 GMT), and there were at least five in total. The most recent was at around 08:10 local time. | |
| Two were close to the city centre, with sirens and car alarms heard across the area. | |
| Writing on the Telegram social media site, Mr Klitschko said there were explosions in the Shevchenkivskiy district, which was hit by several strikes last week. | |
| He said rescuers were on site where a fire had broken out, and told residents to stay in air raid shelters. | |
| Mr Yermak described the kamikaze attacks as Russia's "death throes", and that Ukraine needed more air defence systems "as soon as possible". | |
| A local journalist, Oksana Kovalenko, told the BBC that two drones had hit critical energy-related infrastructure, and that one had been shot down. | |
| What are kamikaze drones? | |
| Small aerial weapons, also known as loitering munitions, which are destroyed after striking the target | |
| Unlike other drones - which are supposed to return home after dropping missiles - kamikaze drones are disposable | |
| The name derives from the Japanese pilots who volunteered to crash their planes in suicide missions in World War Two | |
| President Zelensky has previously accused Russia of using Iranian-made drones - Iran denies supplying them while Russia has not commented | |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week's strikes were in retaliation for the bombing of a key bridge linking Russia to occupied Crimea, which he blamed on Ukraine. | Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week's strikes were in retaliation for the bombing of a key bridge linking Russia to occupied Crimea, which he blamed on Ukraine. |
| It was the first time during the war that the centre of Kyiv had been directly targeted. | It was the first time during the war that the centre of Kyiv had been directly targeted. |
| Earlier this week, Mr Putin said there was no need for more large-scale strikes on Ukraine. | Earlier this week, Mr Putin said there was no need for more large-scale strikes on Ukraine. |
| Most designated targets had been hit, he said, adding that it was not his aim to destroy the country. | Most designated targets had been hit, he said, adding that it was not his aim to destroy the country. |
| Additional reporting by Elsa Maishman in London |