Ukraine says it shot down more than a dozen Iranian drones as Russia attacks
Mike Brest
Video Embed
Ukrainian President Voloydmyr Zelensky said the country’s air defense shot down “all 13” drones Russian forces used in a barrage targeting Kyiv on Wednesday.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two buildings in the central Shevchenkivskyi district had been damaged but that there were no casualties, according to Reuters. The Ukrainian military identified the drones as the Iranian-made Shahed drones, which Russia has acquired hundreds of from Iran in recent months as its stockpiles have diminished.
The national power grid operator, Ukrenergo, said Wednesday’s attacks didn’t damage any energy facilities, though it’s still reeling from the months of Russian rockets and missiles.
RUSSIA AND IRAN DEVELOPING ‘FULL-FLEDGED DEFENSE PARTNERSHIP,’ WHITE HOUSE SAYS
“This morning, terrorists started with 13 Shaheds … All 13 were shot down by our Ukrainian air defense. Well done. I am proud. Dear citizens, we thank the air defense, and do not forget about the sirens,” Zelensky said.
One of the Iranian drones had a message written on it: “For Ryazan!!!” which is an apparent call for revenge following the strikes last week at a couple of military airstrips, one of which occurred in the Ryazan region.
Ukrainian officials have continued to ask for air defense help from the U.S. and other Western countries, and they appear to have gotten good news this week.
A day earlier, numerous outlets reported that the U.S. is finalizing plans to provide Ukraine with the Patriot missile defense system, one of the most sophisticated pieces of technology the U.S. military possesses. The Patriot system, which is made by Raytheon, is one of the U.S.’s most advanced surface-to-air missile defense systems and is designed to track and intercept incoming ballistic and cruise missiles and aircraft in the air.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
A Patriot missile defense system would presumably not get there immediately and would require the U.S. or another nation familiar with the system to train the Ukrainians on it.
Additionally, a large group of international leaders and organizations convened in Paris, France, on Monday, where they collectively pledged another roughly $1 billion of aid to Ukraine. This aid in particular is focused on Ukraine’s immediate needs brought on both by the winter weather and what officials have described as Russia’s weaponization of it. Their continued attacks against Ukraine’s energy grid have often resulted in blackouts and limited access to heat and drinking water.