Ukraine hit by Shahed drones: explosions in Sumy and Cherkasy, casualties reported in Kryvyi Rih
Photo: State Emergency Service rescuer (facebook DSNSZP)
Eastern and central regions of Ukraine are under drone attack, according to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported groups of combat drones moving:
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toward Cherkasy from the north;
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toward Kryvyi Rih from the south;
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toward Sumy from the north.
The air raid alert map of Ukraine currently shows alerts in the affected regions.
Local residents reported explosions in Sumy and Cherkasy.
Kryvyi Rih Defense Council Head Oleksandr Vilkul wrote on his channel that a residential building had been hit in Kryvyi Rih.
"Kryvyi Rih. Shahed drone attack. There have been strikes on residential areas. Emergency rescue operations have begun. There are casualties," the statement said.
00:15 AM update
Sumy Regional Military Administration Head Oleh Hryhorov reported that one person was injured as a result of a drone attack.
According to him, Russian forces attacked the Sumy community with two strike UAVs.
"As a result of a hit in the Kovpakivskyi district of Sumy, civilian infrastructure was damaged. Windows were shattered in residential and non-residential buildings. Preliminary reports indicate no fatalities. At least one person was injured and is receiving the necessary medical assistance," he said.
Attacks on Ukraine's regions
On the morning of December 16, Russian forces attacked a multi-storey residential building in Zaporizhzhia using a drone. According to the State Emergency Service, four apartments on the fifth and sixth floors caught fire. Rescuers evacuated five residents from the upper floors, two of them using an aerial ladder. Four people were injured.
In addition, on the night of December 17, Russia twice attacked Odesa region with strike drones, damaging civilian infrastructure. A fire broke out at the site and was promptly extinguished by emergency services. No casualties were reported.
Overall, on the night of December 17, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with strike drones from several directions. Most of the hostile targets were destroyed by air defense forces.
"Russia attacked with 69 strike UAVs of the Shahed type, Gerbera, and other types of drones," the Air Force reported. The drones were launched from Kursk, Oryol, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Millerovo in Russia, as well as from Hvardiiske in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
