KYIV, Ukraine (AFP) — Russian-launched “kamikaze drones” attacked Kyiv early Monday, the Ukrainian presidency said.
Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv shortly before the first explosion at around 6:35 a.m., followed by sirens across most of the country.
“The capital was attacked by kamikaze drones,” the president’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on social media.
“The Russians think it will help them, but it shows their desperation,” he added.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said the drone attack had caused a fire and damaged several buildings in the central Shevchenkivsky district and warned residents to take shelter.
“Fire departments are working. Several residential buildings were damaged. Medics are on the spot,” he said on Telegram.
“We are clarifying the information about the casualties.”
The mayor also posted a picture of what he said was the charred wreckage of one of the kamikaze drones, loitering munitions that can hover while waiting for a target to attack.
‘Iranian drones’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week said Iranian drones were used in Russian attacks on energy infrastructure in several Ukrainian cities, although Tehran denies supplying Russia with weapons for the war.
The attacks come exactly a week after Russia unleashed a massive wave of missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital and cities across the country.
On 10 October, Russian missiles rained down on Kyiv and other cities in the biggest wave of strikes in months.
The attacks killed at least 19 people, wounded 105 others and sparked an international outcry.
Moscow carried out further strikes on 11 October, though on a smaller scale, striking energy installations in western Ukraine far from the front.