Kyiv [Ukraine], May 29: On the morning of May 28, Ukrainian military officials said that Russia launched a new round of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) on the capital Kyiv overnight, causing many fires.
SerhiyPopko, Kyiv region's military leader , said the attack was divided into several waves and the air raid sirens sounded for five hours.
Mayor VitaliKlitschko said it was the first deadly attack on Kyiv in May and the 14th this month. The official added that the airstrikes killed a civilian in the Solomyanskyi district, while the drone's debris fell on a gas station, injuring one person.
According to Klitschko, the fire spread over 700 square meters was contained, but many buildings were severely damaged. In the Pecherskyi district, the historic center of Kyiv, drone debris also sparked a fire on the roof of a nine-story building.
It is not clear how many UAVs hit Kyiv. The Ukrainian Air Force claims to have shot down 52 of at least 54 UAVs launched by Russia, according to CNN. According to the force, Russia is targeting military infrastructure in the central regions of Ukraine and especially in Kyiv to prevent the country from counter-attacking.
The wave of air strikes came after the Ukrainian side said the fighting had cooled down around the city. Bakhmut (Donetsk province), where the longest and bloodiest battle of the conflict took place.
Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin on May 27 ordered increased border security to ensure "rapid" Russian movement into areas of Ukraine currently controlled by Moscow. He also asked border guards to protect key lines around the fighting area, TASS news agency reported.
Putin's move came after the authorities of the Russian provinces bordering Ukraine accused Kyiv of intensifying attacks. According to officials, Ukraine initially only sent drones to attack the border area, but is increasingly moving inward.
Kyiv does not claim responsibility for attacks in Russian territory and in areas Moscow controls in Ukraine, but says the destruction of infrastructure is preparation for the counter-offensive the country has planned. plan.
In another development, on May 27, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the US and its allies are becoming more and more involved in the Ukraine conflict . According to him, the West's continued supply of new weapons to Kyiv may prolong the conflict, but will not change the situation.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper
