Explosions reported in Kyiv amid Russian drone attack
Illustrative photo: Explosions were heard in Kyiv amid the Shahed attack, air defense is working (Getty Images)
Explosions were heard in the Kyiv area overnight on November 17. An air alert was declared in the capital due to the threat of Russian attacks using Shahed drones while air defense forces and resources remain active, according to Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration.
The explosions near the capital were heard around 3:13 AM (Kyiv time). A few minutes later, several more explosions followed.
Kyiv officials announced that air defense forces were actively engaged in the city in response to enemy kamikaze drones.
"Air defense is active in Kyiv," Popko stated in a Telegram post.
Additionally, residents of the capital have been urged to remain in shelters until the air alert is lifted.
Enemy drones are also being intercepted in the Kyiv region.
In addition to Kyiv, air defense operations are underway in the Kyiv region due to Shahed drones, the Kyiv Regional Military Administration said.
"Movement of enemy UAVs detected! Air defense forces are active in the region," the administration reported.
Furthermore, the Kyiv City Military Administration has urged residents not to film or share footage of air defense operations online and to stay in shelters.
Update: Air alert lifted in Kyiv
At approximately 3:56 AM, the Kyiv City Military Administration announced the cancellation of the air threat alert for the capital.
Shahed drone attack
Earlier reports indicated that on the evening of November 16, Russian forces launched Shahed-type kamikaze drones toward Ukraine. As a result, an air alert was declared in several regions.
Additionally, around midnight, air defense forces intercepted enemy drones in the Kyiv region.
During the previous night’s air attack on Ukraine, Russian forces used 83 drones and a S-300 missile for strikes. Ukrainian Armed Forces’ air defense systems successfully downed 53 enemy drones.
Furthermore, due to active resistance from Ukrainian forces, 30 Russian drones were lost in various regions of Ukraine.
