Ukraine claims that Russia launched 67 drones in an overnight onslaught

Russia launched a total of 67 long-range Shahed drones in a mass nocturnal attack on Saturday, according to Ukraine’s air force. Of these drones, 58 were downed.

In a statement posted on the Telegram messaging app, the air force announced that air defense units were mobilized in 11 regions throughout Ukraine.
In a separate statement posted on its official Telegram page, the legislature announced that drone detritus was discovered adjacent to the parliament building in the capital city of Kyiv, along with numerous photographs.

It is exceedingly uncommon for a Russian missile or drone to penetrate central Kyiv, as the city is safeguarded by a network of air defense systems donated by Western nations and those from the Soviet era.

The hilltop government quarter in the city center is potentially the most well-defended site in Ukraine, as it also serves as the headquarters of the central bank, the president, and the cabinet.

Near the parliament building, there were at least four pieces of debris dispersed on the ground, as evidenced by the images posted on Telegram. One piece was situated at the base of the stairs leading to the main entrance of the structure, while another piece of metal appeared to be strewn with shrapnel.

On Saturday, shortly after 3 a.m. (0000 GMT), Reuters correspondents in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, heard a series of explosions. Some of the explosions were audible throughout the city center, causing residents to awaken.

Moscow has launched thousands of Shahed drones and missiles into Ukraine since the commencement of its invasion in February 2022.

Since September 2022, Russia has employed the Iranian-designed drone as a cost-effective and disposable alternative to missiles, which are both costly and difficult to produce.

The Shahed, which is propelled by a propeller, travels at a speed of less than 200 km/h (125 miles/h). However, it is challenging for conventional air defense systems to monitor due to its low altitude and significantly lower heat output than a missile.

The drones were launched from two frontier regions in Russia and the Russian-occupied peninsula of Crimea, according to Kyiv’s air force.