Ukraine Downs 23 Russian Drones in Night Attack
Ukrainian air defences intercepted 23 of 31 drones launched by Russia in a nighttime attack, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, quoted by BBC.
The assault, concentrated on the Odessa and Kharkiv regions, sparked outrage over civilian casualties and accusations of targeting critical infrastructure.
"To repel the air attack, anti-aircraft missile units, mobile fire groups, electronic warfare assets, and forces from the Air Force and Ukrainian Defense Forces were involved," stated the Ukrainian military. "As a result of combat activities, 23 'shaheds' were destroyed in Odessa and Kharkiv regions."
Russia has remained silent on the attack, which Ukrainian officials attribute to Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 drones launched presumably from occupied Crimea. While the Ukrainian media confirmed seven fatalities, including three children, in a Kharkiv gas station attack, the full extent of casualties remains unclear.
"There were 14 private residential houses burned on a total area of about 3,700 square metres, a warehouse on an area of 400 square metres," a local emergency service reported. "Additionally, a large-scale fire broke out at a civilian infrastructure facility."
Translation by Iurie Tataru
