Ukrainian air defense downs 35 Shahed drones in Kyiv region, 5 people injured

This was stated by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who visited a high-rise building that was hit by a Russian drone at night.

"Last night, the barbarians staged a massive attack with “kamikaze” drones. They launched almost 60 Shaheds. 36 of them were flying towards the capital. All were shot down by air defense forces. However, the debris of several drones damaged some social facilities and a residential apartment building in the Sviatoshynskyi district. Fortunately, there were no casualties. However, five people were injured in two districts of the city. Three of them were wounded in a high-rise building. Two of the victims were hospitalized, one of them underwent surgery. Doctors say there is no threat to life," Klitschko wrote.

He assured that the city authorities would provide the necessary assistance to the victims and, following the conclusions of the special commission, would promptly restore the damaged housing.

On the morning of May 8, the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that air defense destroyed 100% of the drones that attacked Kyiv and the region.

The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the incident on the morning of May 8, stating that 35 Shaheds were destroyed by the anti-aircraft defense system.

"35 Shaheds were destroyed. Last night, our air defense destroyed 100% of the Shahed drones that attacked the Kyiv region," the post reads.

According to Ruslan Kravchenko, head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, no hits were recorded in the region, and no information about victims was received.

"As a result of the falling debris in one of the communities, a private house was slightly damaged. In another community, power lines were damaged. All damages will be promptly repaired," he wrote at 10:05 a.m.

In addition, according to preliminary data, dry grass caught fire in several communities as a result of the fall of drone debris, but these fires were promptly extinguished. Two cars were slightly damaged.

On the night of Monday, May 8, 2023, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that UAV wreckage had fallen in the Svyatoshynskyi district of Kyiv.

"UAV debris fell in the Sviatoshynskyi district. All services are on their way to the scene," the mayor of Kyiv said at 02:01 a.m.

Later, he clarified the information about the damage and injuries.

"Three people were injured at the site of the explosion in Solomyanskyi district and one in Svyatoshynskyi district. They are receiving medical assistance on the spot," Klitschko added at 02:05 a.m.

According to him, two of the injured in Svyatoshynskyi district were hospitalized by doctors. Others were provided with medical aid on the spot.

"Air raid alert is in effect in Kyiv. Stay in shelters. According to preliminary information, there are injuries and destruction. It is likely that the fall of debris on a parked car in the yard of a residential building caused the car to catch fire. Debris fell on a residential building and on the roadway," said Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA).

At 02:32 a.m., the mayor reported another fall of dangerous UAV debris. And again in the western Svyatoshynskyi district.

"Explosions in the city again. UAV debris fell on a two-story building in Svyatoshynskyi district," Vitali Klitschko informed.

It also became known that debris fell on the runway of the airport in Zhulyany.

"In Solomyanskyi district, we know about the fall of debris on the runway of Zhulyany airport. There is no fire," the Kyiv military administration said.

As of 03:14 a.m., the KCMA noted that in the Shevchenkivskyi district, debris probably fell on another 2-story building. As a result, a high-pressure gas pipe was damaged, causing a gas flare to burn. A portable carriage barrel is in operation, the flame has been knocked down, and the State Emergency Service and gas service are working.

At 06:35 a.m., the head of the KCMA, Serhiy Popko, clarified that more than 30 Shahed drones were detected and destroyed in Kyiv's airspace.

"During the last air alert, which lasted more than 3.5 hours, the aggressor tried to strike with its UAVs. According to preliminary information, these were Iranian Shahed barrage munitions that attacked the capital from different directions. More than 30 enemy drones were detected and destroyed in Kyiv's airspace! Thanks to the air defense!" he wrote.

As of 06:53 a.m., it was reported that 7 cars were damaged and 1 more burned in the Sviatoshynskyi district due to falling debris, while damaged windows and facades were also recorded. Five people were injured in the area and were given medical assistance.

In the Solomyanskyi district, a tank with diesel fuel leakage (without ignition) was damaged, along with 15 trucks and 5 cars in the parking lot. The high-pressure gas pipe was also damaged, causing the gas torch to burn, but the fire was extinguished.

The alarm in Kyiv began at 11:34 p.m. on May 8, and the air alert ended at 03:10 a.m. on May 9. 

• It was also reported that a fire broke out in Odesa region during the air alert.