Ukrainian Civilians Among the Casualties in Intensified Russian Drone Attacks
At least two Ukrainian civilians have tragically lost their lives following a significant escalation of Russian drone attacks since Saturday evening, marking one of the most powerful assaults since the onset of the war. According to reports from the Ukrainian Air Force, 273 unmanned aerial vehicles were employed in these offensives from Saturday to early Sunday morning. A nighttime strike on the capital city of Kyiv resulted in the death of a 27-year-old woman and left three others injured, including a 59-year-old man, a 61-year-old woman, and a 4-year-old child. Regional governor Mikola Kalashnik shared this information via his official Telegram channel, noting that a private residence was partially destroyed and multiple residential apartment blocks sustained damage as a result.
Emergency services are actively responding to the situation, and an air alert continues to be in effect over Kyiv as authorities await further details about the incidents. Meanwhile, the regional government of Donetsk reported additional airstrikes by the Russian military, which resulted in one fatality and left at least eight individuals wounded. The victim in Donetsk was also identified as a 27-year-old woman, as per the governor Vadim Filashkin, who mentioned that one of the injured was a minor.
In a statement published on their Telegram account, the Ukrainian Air Force highlighted that most of the attacks were thwarted by anti-aircraft missiles, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups from the Ukrainian Defense Forces. By 8:00 AM, it was confirmed that 88 Shahed attack drones and various other types of drones were downed across eastern, northern, and central Ukraine, with another 128 drones reportedly lost in open areas without causing additional harm.
These recent assaults follow a devastating Russian drone attack earlier on Saturday, which claimed the lives of at least nine individuals and left seven others injured when a minibus was struck near Bilopillia in the Sumi region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his deep sorrow over the violence, condemning it as a ‘missed opportunity for a ceasefire,’ referencing ongoing discussions in Istanbul that had initially led to an agreement between the involved countries for a prisoner exchange involving a total of 2,000 captives—1,000 from each side.
Zelensky emphasized the need for increased pressure on Russia to halt the violence, stating, 'Without tougher sanctions and stronger pressure, Russia will not engage in real diplomacy.' As the conflict continues, both the humanitarian toll and the urgent need for effective responses grow more pronounced.
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