Russia launched a major overnight drone attack on Ukraine on Wednesday, targeting communications infrastructure, energy facilities and port infrastructure, according to Russia’s Defence Ministry.
Russian officials said the strikes hit a communications centre in Kyiv, several energy facilities in the Kyiv region and infrastructure at the port of Izmail in the Odesa region. Moscow said the facilities were linked to Ukraine’s military and defence industry.
Ukrainian officials, however, reported casualties and damage from the attacks. Three people, including a child, were killed in Kyiv and the surrounding region, while seven others were injured, according to Ukrainian authorities. Several fires were also reported, affecting homes, warehouses, shops and other infrastructure.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said debris from the attack landed on the grounds of a western embassy, while emergency teams continued operations in affected areas.
The attacks also prompted Poland and Romania to deploy military aircraft to protect their airspace amid the heightened regional security threat.
Russia said it had struck the De Novo data centre in Kyiv, which it described as a major internet traffic hub supporting Ukrainian forces. It also listed power facilities, including the Kyivska substation, Kyiv hydroelectric power plant and Trypilska thermal power plant, among its claimed targets.
Reuters said it could not independently verify Russia’s claims about the specific facilities hit.
Leave a comment