There are various reports of Russia using kamikaze drones to strike targets all throughout Kiev. It appears as if this was a revenge operation for terrorist attacks on the Russian city of Belgorod. The Ukrainians had no way to defend themselves from the drones.
RT:
Several explosions rocked central Kiev on Monday morning, Mayor Vitaly Klitschko has confirmed, amid reports of a new wave of Russian drone strikes, across the country.
The news comes a week after Moscow launched a significant attack on Ukraine’s critical energy and military infrastructure.
“An explosion in the Shevchenko district – in the center of the capital,” Klitschko wrote on his Telegram channel at around 7am Monday morning, before reporting another blast in the same area several minutes later. A fire broke out in a non-residential building, and several residential buildings were damaged, he later added.
Witnesses reportedly heard the sound of kamikaze drones in the air, according to Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to the interior minister, who said that they targeted critical infrastructure in the area of the central railway station in Kiev.
The drones did some serious damage.
Here’s some social media posts about the situation.
Russia forces targeted Kiev today using 28 drones, reportedly killing 4 civilians at least. These iranian-made kamikaze or suicide drones, are used in so-called 'swarming' tactic saturation strikes and can evade air defence systems.
https://t.co/jejVGWQ0qs— Agnes Callamard (@AgnesCallamard) October 17, 2022
An Iranian drone launching attack on civilians in Kiev, #Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/Mn3ysqxdHB
— Asaad Sam Hanna (@AsaadHannaa) October 17, 2022
Ukrenergo HQ, Computing Centre, the power-grid control system of Ukraine hit by Russian Shahed-136 (Geran-2) drones in #Kyiv/#Kiev.#Ukraine pic.twitter.com/dKSlXgBIGd
— Military Advisor (@miladvisor) October 17, 2022
*reportedly* Police in Kiev trying to shoot down Russian drones with 7.62×39.
Let’s think about the ballistics here. There’s no way that drone is below 500m in elevation and it’s likely much higher than that. 0% chance an AK is going to take it out. #ukraine #russia #kiev pic.twitter.com/fltFWFQ1cS
— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) October 17, 2022
Foreign journalists/photographers in Kiev getting panicky and worried when the Shahed-136 drones started hitting their targets. Dangerous job pic.twitter.com/qULU3lKcTb
— LogKa (@LogKa11) October 17, 2022
“(Revenge) For Belgorod” is written on the body of one of the Russian Geran-2 drones in Kiev. pic.twitter.com/2YYCjBZGla
— Sergey Bobkov (@sbobkov) October 17, 2022
Drones were shot down over our city today
One of the Iranian drones struck an apartment building in #Kiev
The damage is serious. ❗People's voices can be heard under the rubble#UkraineWar pic.twitter.com/b7GJ6w2QkZ— Катерина 🇺🇦🌻 (@ekaterinaNWO) October 17, 2022
Breaking #Kyiv industrial infrastructure is being hit by #Shahed136 drones
Kiev attacked by Iranian kamikaze drone #Ukraine #Lviv #Kherson pic.twitter.com/OhEROSXhBU— UkraineNews (@Ukraine66251776) October 17, 2022
Central train station in Kiev may have been bonked.
Drone storm in Kiev – 22 Explosions since morning #Kiev Air Defence Not Working
IRIS-T not working
complete panic in streets pic.twitter.com/jpl1yJItRk— UkraineNews (@Ukraine66251776) October 17, 2022
#KIEV IN PANIC AS SHAHED 136 DRONES INVADE THE CITY
Two explosions in center of #Kyiv. #Zelensky taken to a deep bunker pic.twitter.com/1OsupBAtw8— UkraineNews (@Ukraine66251776) October 17, 2022
Some of these may have been Iranian drones. I was skeptical when I heard reports about Russia striking a deal with Iran to get some of these, but it looks like a deal may have been done. I guess in a way it makes sense as it gives Iran a chance to test out their products.
Either way, this is just more proof showing that the Ukrainian side is not winning. When your capital city is getting swarmed by suicide drones and you have no defense for it, you are not winning. I can’t wait to see how the pro-Ukraine shills try to spin this embarrassment.