The photo shows Ukraine intercepting a Russian Shahed drone in the air. AP photo
Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said early on the morning of December 16 that Ukrainian air defense units were activated when groups of Russian drones approached the city. He said Russian forces were targeting areas near the city center. There were no immediate reports of casualties or serious damage caused by the Russian UAV swarm in Kiev.
Mr. Klitschko noted that air defense activity took place very strongly in the Darnytskyi district on the east bank of the Dnipro River and explosions also occurred in the historic Podil district on the opposite bank.
Reuters witnesses said they heard a loud explosion shortly after midnight. A series of new explosions then took place over the next 45 minutes in areas near central districts of Kiev.
Witnesses added that air raid sirens sounded on the east bank of the Dnipro River, while on the west bank, police warned people about the air raid through loudspeakers.
Ukrainian authorities have warned of possible missile attacks in areas of the Kiev Oblast region and around the capital.
An air strike warning is also in effect over a territory stretching across central Ukraine.
Previously, the Russian Ministry of Defense said it had just prevented a series of attacks by Ukrainian drones (UAVs) targeting the Crimean peninsula on December 15.
According to the Ministry, Russian air defense shot down 26 Ukrainian drones over the Crimea peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014.
However, the announcement from the Russian Ministry of Defense did not say whether the attack by Ukrainian drones caused any damage to people or property.
Ukrainian drone strikes are said to occur almost daily in Russia’s border areas, although mass attacks are less common.
The Russian capital Moscow and its suburbs are also favorite targets of Ukrainian drone attacks.