Russia’s latest attack on Kyiv killed at least 30 people, making it the third deadliest assault on the Ukrainian capital since the start of the war. The attack was exceptionally lethal due to the targets Moscow chose, including residential buildings, and the weapons used, such as ballistic missiles, loitering munitions, and jet-powered drones.

Details of the Attack

Jet-powered drones like the Geran-4 UAV are a relatively new addition to Russia’s arsenal and can fly at speeds of up to 500 kilometers per hour, evading Ukraine’s defenses. The Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson, Yurii Ihnat, said that Russia’s use of these drones is depleting Ukraine’s resources, as they can only be shot down with ground-to-air missiles or fighter jets.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said that more than 90% of cruise missiles and 90% of Shahed-type strike drones were intercepted during the attack. However, the ministry is facing a persistent shortage of missiles for its Patriot batteries, which has been made worse by the conflict in Iran.

International Response

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has sent letters to nearly 40 countries asking them to provide Patriot missiles from their existing stocks as soon as possible. The ministry said this would be in exchange for future deliveries already contracted for Ukraine.

The attack damaged more than 130 residential buildings, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of striking civilian infrastructure. Search and rescue operations continued well into Friday, with several people still missing.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.