Kyiv communities devastated in 'largest drone attack' since start of war with Russia

According to a statement from the Ukrainian military, the drone attack went on for over six hours and caused immeasurable damage.

12:13 ET, Sat, Nov 25, 2023 | UPDATED: 16:30 ET, Sat, Nov 25, 2023

Ukraine: Defence forces target Shahed drones fired by Russia

Russia launched its most intense drone attack on Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion in 2022, targeting the capital for over six hours, military officials said.

Five people were injured, including an 11-year-old girl, and Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk wrote on his Telegram channel that "Kyiv was the main target."

In total, Russia launched 75 Iranian-made Shahed drones against Ukraine, of which 74 were destroyed by air defenses, Ukraine’s air force said.

The attack was “the most massive air attack by drones on Kyiv,” said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv city administration.

Ukrainian air force spokesman Yurii Ihnat confirmed later that the air defenses shot down 66 air targets over the capital and surrounding region throughout the morning.

“Kyiv was the main target,”

Ukraine says Russian military has launched 'the largest drone attack' since war started

The bombing went on for six hours (Image: Getty)

At least five civilians were wounded in the hourslong assault, which saw several buildings damaged by falling debris from downed drones, including a kindergarten.

In the city’s Solomiansky district, debris left a crater in the courtyard of a residential area, and the windows of a nearby building were blown out.

Residents, most of them elderly, received medical attention at the scene.

Others took shelter in a nearby subway station. As people were clearing up debris and broken glass in the neighborhood, the hum of a fresh wave of drones could be heard nearby.

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Ukraine says Russian military has launched 'the largest drone attack' since war started

Ukraine is concerned it won't be able to fend off Russia for much longer (Image: Getty)

The assault on Kyiv began at 4am, continuing in waves, and caused power outages in 77 residential buildings and 120 institutions, according to Popko.

Ukraine’s Energy Ministry said 17,000 people were without power in the Kyiv region as a result of the attack, noting that four power lines were damaged.

Power was restored in the early afternoon.