Russian Officials Claim Russia Conducts New Drone Attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv in Ukraine

Officials in Ukraine have reported that the country is once again under attack from Russian drones, following several days of intense aerial assaults from both sides. Explosions have been reported in the cities of Kyiv and Kharkiv, with the mayor of Kharkiv stating that residential buildings are on fire. Moscow is said to be retaliating against Ukrainian strikes on the Russian border city of Belgorod, which resulted in at least 20 casualties. Ukrainian officials have described the strikes on Friday as Russia's largest missile bombardment of the war thus far, resulting in the deaths of 39 people. The latest attacks occurred as Ukraine approached the end of 2023. Ukrainian air defense systems in the area around Kyiv were activated to repel a Russian drone attack, according to the military administration of the region. Kharkiv, in the northeast, also experienced drone attacks, with the mayor stating that civilian targets such as cafes, residential buildings, and offices were hit. The full extent of the damage and any casualties are yet to be reported. On Saturday, Russian strikes also caused injuries to 19 people in Kharkiv. These latest attacks follow a deadly period in both Ukraine and Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia's bombardment on Friday resulted in the deaths of 39 people and injuries to nearly 160, including in the capital city, Kyiv. Kyiv's mayor confirmed that at least 16 people were killed in the capital that day, marking the deadliest day for civilians in the city. In response, Ukraine carried out attacks on Russia. Moscow accused Ukraine of conducting deadly airstrikes in the southwest, resulting in 20 fatalities and over 100 injuries near the border in Belgorod. The regional governor reported that three children were among the deceased, making it one of the deadliest attacks on Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. A Ukrainian security source revealed that more than 70 drones were launched against Russian targets as a response to Russia's terrorist attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians. They blamed civilian casualties in Belgorod on the incompetent work of Russian air defense, which led to falling fragments. While Moscow has repeatedly accused Ukraine of drone strikes in recent months, Kyiv rarely admits to such border-crossing attacks, although it has carried out similar strikes in the past.