Kyiv, Ukraine
CNN
—
At least two people were injured and critical infrastructure was damaged in a Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. This is Russia’s latest attempt to destroy Ukraine’s power supply.
Explosions and air raid sirens were heard in the city early Monday morning, with alarms blaring from 2 a.m. to just after 5 a.m. local time.
The Ukrainian Air Force claimed to have shot down 30 of 35 drones launched Sunday night through Monday, but the drones that evaded air defense systems damaged power systems and civilian targets.
Iranian-made suicide drones Shahed-136 and Shahed-131 were launched from “the eastern coast of the Sea of Azov,” the Air Force said in a statement on Facebook.
The city’s military authorities said many of the drones were targeting Kyiv, with 18 intercepted out of 23 that were spotted over the capital. No fatalities have been recorded, but officials say one critical infrastructure facility was attacked. His Serhiy Popko, the chief military administrator of the city of Kyiv, said emergency services were working to limit the impact of the attack.
Popko added that two regions, central and western Kyiv, bore the brunt of the damage. A road in Solomyansky was damaged, and debris from the drone landed on a high-rise residential building in the Shevchenkivsky district.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces have repeatedly attacked the Ukrainian capital and other large cities in the country in recent weeks, seeking to wipe out power grids and millions of Ukrainians during the freezing winter months. , are forced to live without electricity, heating and water.
Friday’s Russian missile barrage devastated Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, leaving millions without electricity. Experts say repeated attacks by missiles and drones on critical infrastructure since October have been part of the Kremlin’s strategy to terrorize Ukrainians and violate the laws of war. .
On Friday, Ukraine’s Energy Minister Herman Kharushchenko said “nine power plants” were damaged, but did not specify their locations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech Sunday night that electricity had been restored to a total of 9 million Ukrainians after the series of strikes, but that some areas remained without major blackouts. Stated.
“Thank you to everyone who is working around the clock on these repairs, regardless of the weather,” said Zelensky. “It will not be easy, it will be difficult, but I am convinced that together we will overcome it and the Russian aggression will fail.”
The repeated attacks come as Ukrainians, far from the eastern and southern front lines of the ground war, seek some normality in the run-up to Christmas.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said in a telegram that an artificial Christmas tree will be installed in the center of Kyiv, decorated for the weekend and lit with an “energy-saving garland” powered by generators at specific times. said it was set to
About 1,000 blue and yellow balls and white pigeons decorate the Sophia Square tree, which is crowned with a trident. Flags of countries supporting Ukraine are placed at the bottom.
However, this year there is usually no festive centerpiece, such as Christmas markets, large entertainment events and rides in Sophia Square.
Ukrainian children are asking St. Nicholas for air defenses and weapons for “victory for all Ukrainians,” Zelensky said in a virtual speech at the Joint Expeditionary Force leaders’ summit on Monday.
“Today on St. Nicholas’ Day… Russian terrorists presented Ukrainian children with a new strike,” Zelensky said.
“In the letter to St. Nicholas, the children of Ukraine ask for air defense, weapons and victory. Victory for them, victory for all Ukrainians,” he said.
“Our children, they understand everything. Let’s act!” added Zelensky.
