News Feed

Zelensky: Russia plans long-term drone attack against Ukraine.

1 min read

President Volodymyr Zelensky reported in his evening address on Jan. 2 that Russia is planning a long-term attack using Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones.

He said that Moscow's tactics is to exhaust the Ukrainian population, the country's air defense, and the energy system.

"Only two days have passed since the beginning of the year, and the number of downed Iranian drones over Ukraine has already exceeded 80. And soon, this number may increase. Nights can be quite restless during these weeks," he said. "(Russia) may bet on exhausting us. But we must and will do everything to ensure that this goal of the terrorists fails, like all the others."

Russian forces launched a massive strike against Ukraine using Iranian-made Shahed-131/136 kamikaze drones overnight on Jan. 2.

Ukraine's air defense said it had destroyed all of the 39 drones.

Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said that energy infrastructure facilities in the city were damaged in the attack.

Russian troops have repeatedly attacked energy infrastructure across Ukraine since early October, killing dozens of people and causing electricity, water, and heating cut-offs.

Moscow has admitted that Ukraine's energy system is one of its primary targets.

According to the Geneva Convention, attacking vital public infrastructure constitutes a war crime.

Avatar
The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

Read more
News Feed
Video

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, war has become a daily reality for thousands of Ukrainian children. Some Ukrainian military units, such as the Azov Brigade, offer boot camps for teenagers to teach them the basics of self-defense, first aid, dry firing, and other survival skills — helping them prepare for both the realities of today and the uncertainties of the future.

Show More