Russia conducted a significant drone attack on Ukraine over the weekend, releasing 165 unmanned aircraft, as reported by Ukraine’s military forces.
In the capital Kyiv, the attacks triggered fires that left eleven people injured, including two children, according to the State Emergency Services (SES).
The SES stated that the assault impacted three regions within the capital city: Obolonskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, and Shevchenkivskyi districts.
In Obolonskyi, a fire damaged a 12-story residential building.
When it struck, we were unsure how to react. I was accompanied by my son, and I told him, 'Let’s go!' I took hold of him just like this, still wearing my pajamas, and rushed over here. We noticed a neighbor exit their home and start fleeing as well,” explained Nadiya, one of the inhabitants.
"We observed individuals descending the staircase for evacuation. We remained seated in the darkness," she mentioned additionally.
A significant fire broke out nearby; people were trying to extinguish it while we remained seated here. Two individuals sustained injuries, an ambulance arrived at the scene, yet they did not get transported, likely due to their high levels of stress.
At the same time, Sviatoshynskyi saw flames engulfing residential complexes, whereas in Shevchenkivskyi, the main casualties were suffered by local facilities; streets and electric pylons sustained significant damage.
The SES stated that 75 firefighters were dispatched to combat the fires, and all of them have since been brought under control.
Farther to the south, the central area of Cherkasy was likewise damaged due to Russian shelling.
In the city of Cherkasy, the exterior walls and window areas of several multistory buildings suffered damage. Additionally, storage facilities linked to a furniture business, a trade depot, and various gardening constructions were also affected.
"There wasn't any whistle or sound; everything was silent until it struck with such force that it shattered the windows. We are thankful for our lives," said local resident Vasyl Shevchenko, describing the assault.
People often mention having to carry various items like packages and documents. Given these circumstances, what should one bring? We simply grabbed our undergarments and left quickly.
Preliminary reports indicate that 10 flats were damaged during the overnight strikes, two of which were completely destroyed by fire.
Emergency services mobilised more than 100 rescuers and 26 vehicles to respond to the affected areas, where both homes and businesses were impacted by the fires.
As reported by the Air Armed Forces of Ukraine via their Telegram channel, the areas of Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk were likewise hit during the night attacks.
The Ukrainian military reports that they have intercepted 69 Shahed-class drones and additional unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), whereas another 80 managed to disappear from radar detection.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry released footage on Sunday, claiming it showed Russian forces striking Ukrainian military positions in the southern Kherson region. Euronews could not independently verify its authenticity.