News Feed

Air Force: Ukraine downs 30 of 31 drones launched by Russia overnight

by Elsa Court and The Kyiv Independent news desk December 16, 2023 9:44 AM 1 min read

Archive photo: Explosions are seen in Kyiv during a Russian drone attack on Nov. 25, 2023 (Libkos/Getty Images)

This audio is created with AI assistance

Ukraine downed 30 of the 31 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force said on Dec. 16.

Ukrainian authorities have warned that Russian attacks are expected to escalate during the winter, with Moscow focusing on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and other civilian sites.

The drones were launched from Russian-occupied Crimea, Bryansk Oblast, and Kursk Oblast, and then directed to different regions of Ukraine, according to the Air Force.

The drones were shot down over 11 oblasts in Ukraine, including Kyiv, Kherson, Poltava, Cherkasy, and Khmelnytskyi oblasts.

Loud explosions were recorded in Kyiv just after midnight on Dec. 16, an hour after the Air Force warned that drones had been spotted heading to the city from the south.

Officials said that air defense was operational and warned residents to stay in bomb shelters.

Authors: Elsa Court, The Kyiv Independent news desk

Comments

News Feed

3:36 AM

(Updated: January 30, 2025 7:37 am)

Russian drone attack on residential building in Sumy kills 2, injures 9.

A Russian drone struck a residential building in the northeastern city of Sumy overnight on Jan. 30, killing two people and injuring at least nine others, local authorities reported.

6:35 AM

Syrian rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa named transitional president.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the main rebel group who led the overthrow of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, has been named Syria's transitional president, the country's military command announced on Jan. 29.

4:54 AM

EU not considering banning Russian LNG until it secures alternatives, Reuters reports.

The European Commission will not propose implementing a ban on Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) imports in its upcoming sanctions package amid concern among member states about first securing an alternative from other countries, including the United States, EU diplomats told Reuters on Jan. 29.

1:47 AM

Georgia withdraws from PACE, calls demands for new elections 'blackmail.'

Georgia withdrew its delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Jan. 29 after the Assembly passed a resolution calling for Tbilisi to hold new parliamentary elections.

12:35 AM

NATO on track to send Kyiv over $40 billion in 2025.

"Allies are on track to deliver on the pledge made at the Washington summit," a NATO press statement said following a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on Jan. 29.

11:20 AM

(Updated: January 29, 2025 11:52 pm)

Rubio issues humanitarian waiver for Trump's foreign aid freeze.

Those programs not covered by the waiver include "abortions, family planning conferences… transgender surgeries, or other non-life saving assistance."

11:16 PM

Zelensky looks to domestic, EU funders for key projects amid US aid freeze.

Following an initial report into U.S.-funded projects affected by the freeze, Zelensky said the government was prioritizing the energy sector, military veterans, and border crossings.

9:47 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones hit Lukoil oil refinery, missile arsenal in Russia, sources claim

9:15 PM

Slovakia summons Ukrainian ambassador over Zelensky's criticism of Russian gas purchases.

According to the statement, the Slovak ministry delivered the Ukrainian ambassador "a strong protest" against statements by the Ukrainian side.

8:26 PM

Video

Polish envoy on moving past painful history with Ukraine.

The Kyiv Independent's Martin Fornusek sat down with Poland's charge d'affairs in Kyiv, Piotr Lukasiewicz, to discuss why Poland stands out among Ukraine's allies and how to approach the most painful chapters of the shared Polish-Ukrainian history.

7:50 PM

Nearly 100 companies in Ukraine quietly change Russian ownership in 6 months, monitoring service reports.

Within the last six months, 93 companies in Ukraine have removed signs of Russian ownership and continue to do business in the country, despite a moratorium on altering the registration of companies with Russian owners, the monitoring service Opendatabot reported.

7:24 PM

Ukrainian lawmakers seek to temporarily replace USAID with European funding.

The pause in U.S. funding could last for three to six months, according to the Ukrainian parliament's humanitarian and information policy committee.

6:29 PM

Finland, Ukraine develop warfare drone, media reports.

The Finnish company Insta describes the system as a combination of an "explosive charge and a drone." The drone can be used to transport an explosive charge that can detonate above a target.

6:26 PM

Ukrainian drones hit Russian missile arsenal, oil pumping station in Tver Oblast, SBU source claims.

Drones operated by the SBU and the Special Operations Forces attacked the oil pumping station, which is part of the Baltic Pipeline System-2 operated by Russian state-owned oil pipeline company Transneft.

6:07 PM

Syria calls on Russia to hand over Assad, key aides in first post-ouster talks, media reports.

The demand was allegedly raised during the first negotiations between Syrian officials and a Kremlin delegation following Assad's ouster in December. After his overthrow by rebels, Assad fled to Moscow, where he now resides.

4:11 PM

Russia's 25% military budget hike demands stronger sanctions, more Ukraine aid, PM Shmyhal says.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said "peace through strength" must guide the response to Russian aggression.

4:02 PM

Russian assault intensity declines, focus on Pokrovsk sector, monitoring group reports.

Despite suffering heavy losses, Russian forces have reportedly been able to replenish their combat strength.

3:47 PM

Russian army recruitment centers in Moscow see five-fold drop in applicants, media reports.

Russia is currently suffering around 1500-1750 casualties daily on the battlefield.

2:20 PM

Syria demands Russian compensation for 'past mistakes' in first talks since Assad's fall.

Russia deployed troops to Syria in 2015 to support Assad regime's brutal crackdown against anti-government forces.

1:39 PM

Interview

Investigating the largest theft in Europe since WW2 World War II.

Air Force: Ukraine downs 30 of 31 drones launched by Russia overnight

Most popular

Ukraine’s military now totals 880,000 soldiers, facing 600,000 Russian troops, Zelensky says

Ukraine's Special Forces say they killed 21 North Korean soldiers, show combat footage

Russia condemns 100-year partnership agreement between Ukraine and UK

Ammunition used by Russians halved following Ukrainian strikes, Syrskyi says

'Direct threat' — Ukraine's 48th Separate Assault Battalion denounces commander replacement

News Feed

Russian drone attack on residential building in Sumy kills 2, injures 9.

Syrian rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa named transitional president.

EU not considering banning Russian LNG until it secures alternatives, Reuters reports.

Georgia withdraws from PACE, calls demands for new elections 'blackmail.'

NATO on track to send Kyiv over $40 billion in 2025.

Rubio issues humanitarian waiver for Trump's foreign aid freeze.

Zelensky looks to domestic, EU funders for key projects amid US aid freeze.

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones hit Lukoil oil refinery, missile arsenal in Russia, sources claim

Slovakia summons Ukrainian ambassador over Zelensky's criticism of Russian gas purchases.

Polish envoy on moving past painful history with Ukraine.

Nearly 100 companies in Ukraine quietly change Russian ownership in 6 months, monitoring service reports.

Ukrainian lawmakers seek to temporarily replace USAID with European funding.

Finland, Ukraine develop warfare drone, media reports.

Ukrainian drones hit Russian missile arsenal, oil pumping station in Tver Oblast, SBU source claims.

Syria calls on Russia to hand over Assad, key aides in first post-ouster talks, media reports.

Russia's 25% military budget hike demands stronger sanctions, more Ukraine aid, PM Shmyhal says.

Russian assault intensity declines, focus on Pokrovsk sector, monitoring group reports.

Russian army recruitment centers in Moscow see five-fold drop in applicants, media reports.

Syria demands Russian compensation for 'past mistakes' in first talks since Assad's fall.

Slavoj Zizek: Leftists falsify the choice that Ukrainians face during wartime

Trump must call Putin’s bluff on Ukraine talks

EU to propose phased ban on Russian aluminum in new sanctions package, Bloomberg reports.

Australian POW feared executed by Russia is alive, Penny Wong says.

Zelensky orders report on Ukrainian programs affected by Trump's foreign aid freeze.

Russian state delegation arrives in Syria, first since fall of Assad.

Editors' Picks

'I didn't know who I'd be fighting' — North Korean soldier captured by Ukraine speaks in new footage

What are Trump's options on Russia's war against Ukraine?

How Trump could use sanctions in negotiations with Russia

Ahead of Trump’s inauguration, Ukraine’s European partners can’t afford to watch and wait for Washington’s next move

Subscribe