Drone Strikes Kill Nine Across Ukraine, Zelenskyy Says
Russian drone attacks across Ukraine on Monday killed nine people and injured more than 80, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The strikes included a hit on the National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv, where two people died. Emergency workers recovered one victim from the rubble later in the day.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported 24 people injured in attacks on the capital, including six who required hospital treatment. Fires and damage were also reported at a medical facility, a pharmaceutical company and petrol stations. Rescuers used ladders to help two people escape from upper floors of the Academy building as firefighters searched the wreckage.
Zelenskyy said 90 of the 120 drones launched at Ukraine were jet-powered, and that Ukrainian forces intercepted 57 per cent of the drones. He said faster, higher-flying drones remain difficult to counter and that new interceptors are being tested. Zelenskyy said some combat groups were already using the interceptors, though refinements were needed.
The attacks extended beyond Kyiv. Officials reported three deaths and 19 injuries at a business centre in Dnipro, one death at a logistics office in Synelnykove and 32 injuries following a strike on infrastructure in Zaporizhzhia. The Dnipro strike occurred during the working day near residential buildings and offices. Other reported targets included businesses and communications facilities.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for additional air defences from Ukraine’s allies. Zelenskyy also said Ukrainian intelligence had identified renewed Russian military recruitment and claimed North Korean troops remained in Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected claims that Moscow is ordering a new mobilization.
Ukraine, meanwhile, said it had struck Russian oil facilities and two defence plants. Kyiv has increased attacks on Russian economic targets, including oil refineries. Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilians. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.