Russian-launched “kamikaze drones” attacked Kyiv on early Monday, the Ukrainian presidency said, explaining the strikes as an act of desperation around eight months into a war that has claimed over thousands of lives.
Air raid sirens begin in Kyiv shortly before the first explosion at around 6:35 a.m., followed by sirens across most of the nation.
The President’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak on social media said that, “The capital was attacked by Kamikaze drones.”
He added, “The Russian nationals think it will help them, but it shows their desperation. We need more air defence systems & as soon as possible. More weapons to defend the sky as well as destroy the enemy.”
Meanwhile, the attacks come exactly a week after Russia unleashed a huge wave of missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital & cities across the nation.
The mayor of Kyiv, Vitaly Klitschko said the drone attack had resulted in a fire and damaged numerous buildings in the central Shevchenkivsky district and alerted residents to take shelter.
He said on Telegram that, “Fire departments are working. Several residential buildings were damaged. Medics are on the spot. We are clarifying the reports 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 appear.