In this Feb. 11, 2016 file photograph, Iranian drone Shahed-129 is displayed at a rally in Tehran, Iran. The White House on Monday, May 15, 2023, stated that Russia is trying to purchase further superior assault drones from Iran to be used within the Kremlin’s warfare in Ukraine after utilizing up many of the 400 drones it had beforehand bought from Tehran. ncil spokesman John Kirby stated.

Ebrahim Noroozi/AP

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Ebrahim Noroozi/AP

In this Feb. 11, 2016 file photograph, Iranian drone Shahed-129 is displayed at a rally in Tehran, Iran. The White House on Monday, May 15, 2023, stated that Russia is trying to purchase further superior assault drones from Iran to be used within the Kremlin’s warfare in Ukraine after utilizing up many of the 400 drones it had beforehand bought from Tehran. ncil spokesman John Kirby stated.

Ebrahim Noroozi/AP

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s capital was subjected to the biggest drone assault for the reason that begin of Russia’s warfare, native officers stated, as Kyiv ready to mark the anniversary of its founding on Sunday. At least one particular person had been killed.

Russia launched the “most massive attack” on the town in a single day Saturday with Iranian-made Shahed drones, stated Serhii Popko, a senior Kyiv navy official. The assault lasted greater than 5 hours, with air protection reportedly capturing down greater than 40 drones.

A 41-year-old man was killed and a 35-year-old lady was hospitalized when particles fell on a seven-story nonresidential constructing and began a fireplace, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated.

Ukraine’s air pressure stated that Saturday evening was additionally record-breaking when it comes to Shahed drone assaults throughout the nation. Of the 54 drones launched, 52 had been shot down by air protection techniques.

In the northeastern Kharkiv province, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov stated a 61-year-old lady and a 60-year-old man had been killed in two separate shelling assaults.

Kyiv Day marks the anniversary of Kyiv’s official founding. The day is often celebrated with dwell concert events, avenue festivals, exhibitions and fireworks. Scaled-back festivities had been deliberate for this yr, the town’s 1,541st anniversary.

The timing of the drone assaults was possible not coincidental, Ukrainian officers stated.

“The history of Ukraine is a long-standing irritant for the insecure Russians,” Ukraine’s chief presidential aide, Andriy Yermak, stated on Telegram.

“Today, the enemy decided to ‘congratulate’ the people of Kyiv on Kyiv Day with the help of their deadly UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles),” Popko additionally wrote on the messaging app.