Reuters quoted Ukrainian officials as saying that Russia launched an attack using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on the capital Kiev in the early morning of January 1 (local time), causing damage to infrastructure and casualties.
Local authorities said debris from the downed UAV damaged a facility of the National Bank of Ukraine and a neighboring building.
The airstrike killed two people and injured at least six, according to Ukraine's Emergency Services. The drones, which Ukrainian officials say were Russian, destroyed two floors of an apartment building.
The Ukrainian Air Force immediately raised the alarm after detecting the UAV approaching the city. Several loud explosions were heard.
Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said air defense forces quickly intercepted the UAV.
Photos from the scene show firefighters and rescue workers extinguishing the fire and helping victims escape the fire.
Kiev’s military reported shooting down 63 UAVs, while 46 others were disabled using electronic jamming. A total of 111 UAVs are believed to have been deployed by Moscow during the night of December 31, 2024, to the morning of January 1, 2025, in various regions of Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social media: "Russia only thinks about attacking Ukraine on New Year's Eve."
On the same day, a shelling by a UAV believed to be Russian in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson killed a 23-year-old volunteer, according to Ukrainian officials.
Kherson region governor Oleksandr Prokudin said one seriously injured resident died in hospital.
