Russia targets the Ukrainian capital with swarms of drones

Russia launched swarms of drones over the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and its surrounding area on Friday, causing damage to warehouses and homes on the second consecutive day of attacks that Ukrainian officials described as an attempt to disrupt the daily lives of millions. Kyiv regional governor Tymur Tkachenko said at least one person was killed outside the city, adding that the damage affected 14 warehouses, 16 houses, and three residential buildings.

Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly across the city on Friday morning, following a day-long missile and drone attack on Ukraine that targeted major retail stores and logistics centers for consumer goods in Kyiv and elsewhere.

The attacks continued on Friday, destroying sorting centers belonging to Nova Poshta, Ukraine’s largest private postal services company, near Kyiv and in the northern city of Sumy, according to the company.

In the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, Governor Ivan Fedorov said a Russian drone struck a large home improvement store, injuring at least four people.

The State Emergency Service said Russia attacked the Kyiv region 38 times over the past 24 hours, warning residents to stay away from areas where firefighters were still battling blazes.

Today’s attacks appeared aimed at prolonging the traffic congestion caused by yesterday’s strikes, which had delayed trains in several regions and left passengers stranded for extended periods.

Ukraine’s state railway operator said delays were gradually decreasing, but repeated strikes and air raid alerts would likely have an impact for at least one more day.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kyiv spent nearly 15 hours under air raid alerts on Thursday.

Ihor Tereshchenko, mayor of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, said Russian forces attacked a shopping mall, marking the second such strike in the city within two days.