Ukrainian service personnel use searchlights as they search for drones in the sky over the city centre during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 7, 2024. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich 

Russia Launches 67 Shahed Drones in Overnight Attack on Ukraine

Ukrainian Air Defences Intercept 58 Drones

Ukraine’s air force reported on Saturday that Russia had launched 67 long-range Shahed drones in a mass overnight attack. Of these, 58 drones were successfully intercepted and shot down by Ukrainian air defence units. According to an official statement posted on the Telegram messaging app, air defence systems were activated across 11 regions in Ukraine to counter the attack.

Drone Debris Found Near Parliament in Kyiv

Debris from downed drones was discovered in various locations, including near the parliament building in Kyiv. The Ukrainian legislature shared a statement and photographs on its official Telegram channel, showing debris scattered around the building’s vicinity. Some pieces were found at the steps leading to the main entrance, with one fragment displaying shrapnel damage. The presence of drone wreckage near central Kyiv is a rare occurrence, as the capital is heavily protected by a combination of Soviet-era and Western-supplied air defence systems.

Kyiv’s hilltop government quarter, which houses the offices of the president, the cabinet, and the central bank, is among the most fortified areas in Ukraine.

Overnight Explosions in Kyiv

Residents of Kyiv were awakened by a series of loud explosions shortly after 3 a.m. local time (0000 GMT), some of which reverberated through the city centre. Reuters correspondents in Kyiv reported hearing multiple blasts, highlighting the intensity of the overnight drone assault.

Moscow’s Use of Shahed Drones

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow has launched thousands of missiles and Shahed drones at Ukrainian targets. The Shahed drone, an Iranian-designed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), has been employed by Russia since September 2022. These drones are considered a cost-effective alternative to missiles, which are more expensive and require greater production capacity.

The Shahed drone, which is propeller-powered and flies at speeds under 200 km/h (125 mph), poses a challenge for conventional air defence systems. Its low altitude and reduced heat signature make it harder to detect and track compared to faster and hotter missile targets.

Launch Sites of the Drones

Ukraine’s air force indicated that the Shahed drones were launched from two border regions in Russia, as well as from Crimea, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014. The continued drone attacks underscore the ongoing intensity of the conflict, with both sides engaging in air strikes and countermeasures.