Russia-Ukraine war: Russian drone strikes hit Kyiv

Russia has launched air strikes across Ukraine, hitting its energy infrastructure in the nearly 10-month war. Moscow has now sought to target Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, launching drone strikes in the area.

Russia launched its drone strikes on Kyiv Wednesday, hitting the roof of a building in central Kyiv. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said explosions hit the central district of Shevchenkivskyi, with two administrative buildings damaged. However, no casualties were reported from the air raid that was lifted three hours later.

Russia has been launching air strikes across Ukraine, targeting its energy infrastructure since October following the significant territorial losses due to Ukraine’s counter-offensive. Ukraine’s grid operator said no damages were sustained during Wednesday’s strike. Ukraine said Russia was using Iranian-made drones in its attacks.

One particular drone that hit Kyiv, an M529 Geran-2, had “For Ryazan!!” written on it in an apparent message of revenge. Russia accused Ukraine last week of launching drone strikes on two of its air bases, including that in Ryazan.

Russia has repeatedly denied allegations of terrorism and has been using long-range missiles for attacks that it said were militarily justifiable. Kyiv said the Russian strikes intended to target civilians, which is a war crime.

Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said that the drone strikes were deliberately timed for when it was dark to make it difficult for Ukrainian forces to shoot down. Ihnat said that Russia has already used around 400 drones since the first was shot down by Ukraine in September and that it remains to be seen whether Russia was using a new batch of drones or used up its existing supply.

The British defense ministry said in its intelligence update on Thursday that Belarus carried out a snap inspection of its military’s combat readiness on Tuesday, with the drills taking place in northwest Belarus. Russia has also deployed some reserve troops to Belarus as well for joint drills, according to the ministry.

“The exercising Belarusian troops and Russian units are currently unlikely to constitute a force capable of conducting a successful assault into northern Ukraine,” said the ministry.

Belarus has been amassing troops at its border with Ukraine amidst signs that Belarus may also get directly involved in the war.