Explosion waves in Kyiv
Russia blankets Ukraine with swarms of drones
December 16, 2023, 8:14 a.m
In recent days, Russia has once again been terrorizing parts of Ukraine with hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles and combat drones. Explosions were heard again in Kiev last night. There are no reports of damage or injuries yet.
Russia attacked Ukraine again on Saturday night with several swarms of combat drones. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the aircraft loaded with explosives were moving in several waves towards the capital Kiev and the Cherkasy, Zaporizhzhia, Kirovohrad and Mykolaiv regions. Kiev’s air defense is in action, wrote Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Telegram.
Klitschko also reported that explosions could be heard in the Podil district near the center. He later added that the enemy aircraft were over the center. A reporter from the German Press Agency reported that anti-aircraft fire could be heard and was getting closer. Flights of so-called kamikaze drones and explosions were also reported from other parts of the country. There is no information yet on possible damage or victims. Russia has increased its air strikes on Ukraine in recent days, using drones, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles and cruise missiles.
Ukraine releases drones in Crimea
Ukraine also launched drones in the direction of the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula and Kursk. Explosions were heard in the port city of Sevastopol in Crimea on Friday evening because, according to the Russian city boss Mikhail Razvoshayev, anti-aircraft defenses were in action. A drone was shot down. This information could not be independently verified. In many cases it later turns out that the Ukrainian shelling has caused damage that is not officially reported.
The authorities also reported Ukrainian drone attacks in the Kursk region on the border with Ukraine. Four drones were intercepted, said Governor Roman Starovoyt. Nevertheless, the remaining aircraft caused damage to buildings, railway systems and overhead lines.
Fierce fighting along the front
The Ukrainian General Staff also reported 82 individual battles with Russian troops along the front in the east and south of the country. The fighting was particularly fierce again near the city of Avdiivka. It is defended by the Ukrainians and is close to Donetsk, the Russian-controlled capital of the coal and industrial district of Donbass. Numerous battles were also recorded on the Kupyansk and Lyman, Bakhmut and Mariinka front sectors.
The situation in Marjinka is currently confusing. Russia had recently reported the capture of the city. The British Ministry of Defense, on the other hand, only reported that Russia had further reduced small areas that were still under Ukrainian control. However, the British assessed that an operationally significant breakthrough in this sector was highly unlikely. Marjinka is located almost 30 kilometers southwest of Donetsk. The town had around 9,000 inhabitants before the war and is now almost completely destroyed.