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Ukraine war: Kyiv attacked by kamikaze drones say officials | Ukraine war: Kyiv attacked by kamikaze drones say officials |
(31 minutes later) | |
Watch: Explosions damage Kyiv building after drone strikes | |
Watch: Explosions damage Kyiv building after drone strikes | |
At least five explosions have been heard in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv - with a presidential adviser blaming "kamizake drones" sent by Russia. | 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. | "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. | A week ago, the capital was hit by Russian missiles at rush hour, part of nationwide attacks which left 19 dead. |
This morning's attacks were from drones - the low buzzing of these slow-moving weapons is becoming familiar across the country. | |
Kyiv reverberated to the rattle of gunfire as anti-aircraft batteries frantically tried to shoot them down. Video on social media appeared to show one interception. | |
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. | 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. | Two were close to the city centre, with sirens and car alarms heard across the area. |
What's being targeted is hard to determine. The mayor's office says residential and non-residential buildings have been hit. Railway officials say explosions were seen close to Kyiv's main station. | |
Recent attacks have targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure. It will be surprising if that's not the case today. | |
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. | 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. | He said rescuers were on site where a fire had broken out, and told residents to stay in air raid shelters. |
But despite the warnings, the streets are far from deserted. Between the first and second set of airstrikes, plenty of people seemed to be going about their Monday morning business. | |
Mr Yermak described the kamikaze attacks as Russia's "death throes", and that Ukraine needed more air defence systems "as soon as possible". | Mr Yermak described the kamikaze attacks as Russia's "death throes", and that Ukraine needed more air defence systems "as soon as possible". |
What are kamikaze drones? | What are kamikaze drones? |
Small aerial weapons, also known as loitering munitions, which are destroyed after striking the target | 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 | 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 | 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 | President Zelensky has previously accused Russia of using Iranian-made drones - Iran denies supplying them while Russia has not commented |
Mayor Klitschko shared a photo of what he said were fragments of a Kamikaze drone on Telegram | |
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 | Additional reporting by Elsa Maishman in London |