Russia attacks Ukraine on New Year's Eve: drone debris hits Kyiv building, killing two civilians

Falling debris in Kyiv

In the evening of December 31, Russia attacked Ukraine with drones. On January 1, at around 7:00 a.m., air defense forces were operating on targets in the Kyiv region. Later, after loud explosions in the capital, it became known that debris had fallen in the Pechersk district as a result of a UAV attack on Kyiv. 

According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, the top two floors of a residential building in Pechersk have been partially destroyed. Residents are being evacuated. Later, the number of victims increased to six, and two people were hospitalized. Among the four residents who were treated by medics on the spot was a pregnant woman.

In addition, a fire was reported in a non-residential building in the Sviatoshynskyi district of Kyiv. According to the Kyiv City Military Administration, cars and garages were damaged and a local fire broke out in the area. Damage to tram tracks 100 meters from the depot was also reported. 

It was later revealed that a woman was found dead in a residential building in the Pechersk district, which was damaged during the morning attack by Russian drones. The rescue operation is ongoing.

In addition, the roof of one of the buildings of the National Bank of Ukraine in Kyiv caught fire due to the falling drone debris. The fire was quickly extinguished. All operational systems and services of the National Bank are functioning fully.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the nighttime attack. He posted a photo of the aftermath of the drone debris falling in Kyiv and noted that even on New Year's Eve, Russia was only concerned with causing pain to Ukraine.

"I am grateful to everyone who, regardless of the circumstances, is on duty every night and every day, protecting Ukraine and Ukrainians. Our army, which is holding back Russian attacks. Rescuers, who are ready to help anywhere in Ukraine. All emergency services, our medics, everyone whose job it is to save lives," the president wrote.

Head of the Kyiv City Military Administration Tymur Tkachenko reported at 12:25 p.m. that the number of fatalities had risen to two.

"Unfortunately, we now have two fatalities. My condolences to the relatives and loved ones. The rescue operation in the Pechersk and Svyatoshynskyi districts continues," Tkachenko wrote.

According to preliminary information, buildings in central Kyiv were attacked by at least four Shaheds, informed Andriy Yermak, head of the President's Office.

At 2:03 p.m., Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko reported that two people had died and seven had been injured due to the Russian attack.

"Three injured were hospitalized, and four received medical assistance at the scene," he added.

Consequences of UAV attack in other regions 

The Ukrainian Air Force reported the movement of Russian air targets. Thus, at 4:43 p.m. on December 31, a drone was spotted flying in the direction of the city of Sumy.

At 8:21 p.m., the threat of Russian attack UAVs was announced in Zaporizhzhia region. The head of Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration Ivan Fedorov reported on the work of air defense in Zaporizhzhia: “The sounds of explosions you heard are the work of air defense. The Russians are attacking the city with Shaheds.”

At 10:49 p.m., the UAV was moving toward Zaporizhzhia from the south. The secretary of Zaporizhzhia City Council, Regina Kharchenko, said as of 10:54 p.m. that the attack was still ongoing. At 0:41, Fedorov informed that several private houses were burning in one of the settlements of Zaporizhzhia region as a result of the Russian attack. Emergency workers rescued a woman. 

Also that night, during an air raid, air defense destroyed two Shaheds in the Khmelnytskyi region. According to the Regional Military Administration, there are no reports of injuries or deaths.

The first day of the new year began with a drone attack on Kyiv region. An air raid alert lasted throughout the night, with air defense forces in action. No infrastructure was hit, and there were no civilian casualties.

At the same time, windows were damaged, and the walls of a private house were torn apart in one of the settlements. Additionally, 10 cars were damaged.