75 out of 101 drones launched overnight by Russia downed by Ukrainian air defenses, claims air force
Ukraine said on Monday that at least one person was killed and 62 others injured in Russian drone strikes on the cities of Kharkiv and Odesa.
“Twenty-seven people were injured, including three children. As of now, two adults and a child are in hospitals - all in moderate condition,” Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synyehubov said in a statement on Telegram, later updating the number of injured to 29.
He said the attack occurred at about 5.20 a.m. local time (0220GMT), and that four Russian attack drones targeted the city's Shevchenkivskyi and Slobidskyi districts.
“A dormitory with a fire on the 8th floor, a multi-story building, a supermarket, a cafe, the territory of a kindergarten, two cars, and a garage were damaged,” Synyehubov added.
The governor also said that a ballistic missile struck the settlement of Malynivka, damaging civilian infrastructure.
Synyehubov later claimed that six more Russian drones struck Kharkiv's Kholodnohirskyi district from 10.10-10.30 a.m. local time (0710GMT to 0730GMT) in a second morning attack, injuring 33 people.
Elsewhere, Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper said a person died in the southwestern port city, and there was damage to civilian infrastructure in the overnight attack.
"We are strongly counting on our partners to fully deliver on what we have agreed. Air defense remains the top priority for protecting lives," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X in reaction to the strikes.
"We are also actively advancing agreements on investing in our domestic weapons production, including all types of drones," he added.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Air Force claimed that 75 out of 101 drones launched by Russia were downed by air defenses, as well as four surface-to-air guided missiles.
Russian authorities did not immediately comment on the claims. The Defense Ministry, however, claimed it intercepted 91 Ukrainian drones over more than 10 regions, including eight over the Moscow region.
