Russia carried out a drone strike on Kiev, Ukraine overnight

Russia fired nearly three dozen drones into Kiev early Sunday, with explosions heard in the Ukrainian capital and surrounding region for about two hours and debris falling on several city districts, Ukrainian officials said.

The Ukrainian Air Force said the military destroyed 26 of 33 drones launched by Russia, all targeting Kiev and the surrounding region.

Reuters witnesses heard at least five explosions across Kiev, where the night sky was lit by air defense strikes on targets.

A cloud of smoke rose between the buildings.

Kiev resident Liudmyla said she heard the buzz of the Iranian-made drones before a blast wave shattered the windows of her building and the glasses on her windowsill.

“It was a very frightening experience – I can’t even put it into words.”

Fragments of downed drones fell on five different districts, said Mayor Vitali Klitschko and the city’s military administration.

Klitschko said one person was injured.

The state rescue service later reported that debris had fallen in three districts, but no serious damage was caused.

The governor of the Kyiv region, Ruslan Kravchenko, wrote on Facebook that the overnight strikes had damaged an unspecified infrastructure facility and eight houses.

There was initially no comment from Russia on the attacks.

Moscow has carried out regular airstrikes on Ukrainian population centers far from the eastern and southern fronts during its 18-month-long invasion.

A Russian attack killed 17 people in the eastern town of Kostiantynivka on Wednesday, Ukrainian officials said.