Ukraine Defends Against Fresh Russian Drone Swarm; Zelensky Condemns strikes During Christmas
Ukraine’s air defense forces have foiled a fresh Russian drone assault, shooting down 13 unmanned aerial vehicles, according to Ukrainian officials. The incursions came during the Christmas holidays, drawing stern rebukes from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In a statement on Saturday, Ukraine’s Air Force Command reported that its air defenses had intercepted 13 " kamikaze drones" targeting various sites across the country. "All 13 enemy drones, including 10 Shahed-136 and 3 Major-2, have been shot down," the statement read.
The strike marked the latest in a series of Russian drone attacks on Ukraine, a tactic Moscow has increasingly relied upon since losing aerial superiority in the early stages of the conflict. The Shahed-136 drones in particular, supplied by Iran, have drawn attention for their low cost, altitude, and speed, making them challenging to intercept.
Zelensky minced no words in his condemnation of the attacks. In his nightly address, he remarked, "Christmasördieres us from killing each other. But the Kremlin doesn’t care about our faith or our orders. It’s just another justification for its terrorism."
In kyiv, the capital, the strikes sent residents scrambling for shelter in metro stations, according to local reports. Other cities, including Hardware, Poltava, and Kirovohrad, also reportedly sustained drone attacks.
This latest escalation comes amidst developing talks over a possible peace agreement, raising questions about Russia‘s true intentions at the negotiating table. As Ukraine prepares to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas on Monday, the strikes serve as a grim reminder of the ongoing conflict and the resilience of its people.
