March 16 (Reuters) - Debris crashed in central Kyiv and two other districts of the Ukrainian capital on Monday from a Russian drone attack, though there were no immediate reports of injuries,
Russia strikes Kyiv in rare daytime drone attack, debris crashes on main square
Details and Impact of the Daytime Drone Attack
Overview of the Attack
KYIV, March 16 (Reuters) - Russia launched a rare daylight attack on Kyiv on Monday using drones that appeared upgraded, Ukrainian officials said, with multiple explosions ripping through the city and drone debris crashing onto the capital's main square.
Ukrainian air defence units downed 194 out of 211 Russian drones, the air force said, adding that the morning attack was unusual in its timing and involved different types of drones targeting the central Kyiv region.
Drone strikes on the Ukrainian capital usually happen at night since drones are less easily detected in the dark.
Statements from Ukrainian Officials
"Around 30 drones of various types were targeting the Kyiv region," Yuri Ihnat, air force spokesperson, told Ukrainian TV.
"The not-so-good news is that these drones have communication channels – mesh networks and other channels – which the enemy can use to control them. The better news is that almost all of them were shot down."
Russia has in the past often used pre-programmed drones that cannot be piloted once in flight for long-range attacks.
Experts were working at the sites to identify types of drones used, Ihnat said.
Damage and Response in Kyiv
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that drone debris fell in the busy Shevchenkivskyi district in the centre and two other districts in the west of the capital. Explosions ripped through the city as residents rushed to the shelters, Reuters witnesses said.
Reuters television footage showed police officers inspecting what appeared to be drone debris next to the Independence Monument on Kyiv's main square. No casualties were reported in Kyiv, officials said.
Wider Context of Drone Warfare
Recent Attacks on Moscow
Russia's capital, Moscow, was also targeted by Ukrainian drones in recent days.
Over the weekend, Russia shot down 250 Ukrainian drones heading towards Moscow, in what officials said was the biggest attempted attack on the Russian capital in at least a year.
Background of the Conflict
Russia's Invasion and Ongoing War
Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 caused the bloodiest war in Europe since World War Two, killing hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians on both sides.
Other Recent Attacks in Ukraine
In a separate Russian attack on Monday on Ukraine's eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, two civilians were killed and seven others were wounded, the regional governor said.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka in Gdansk, Olena Harmash in Kyiv; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
