Ukraine’s air defense downs Bayraktar over Kyiv, which lost control during scheduled flight

This was reported by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"On May 4, at about 8 pm, a Bayraktar TB2 UAV lost control during a scheduled flight in the Kyiv region. Since the UAV's uncontrolled stay in the sky of the capital could lead to unwanted consequences, it was decided to use mobile fire groups. The target was destroyed!" the statement said.

The Air Force added that the causes of the control loss are being investigated. Presumably, it was a technical malfunction.

As a result of the falling debris, a fire broke out in the Solomianskyi district of the city and a small fire broke out in the Pecherskyi district. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported this.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported this. 

“Explosions and fire in Solomianskyi district of the capital. There is a possibility of UAV debris. All services are on their way to the scene. Details later,” he wrote on Telegram at 8:41 pm. 

Ten minutes later, Klitschko added that the fire broke out in a 4-story building, covering the area of 50 square meters. As of 8:52 pm, no one had called for medical assistance.

At 9:06 pm, the mayor of Kyiv announced that the fire in a 4-story building in the Solomianskyi district of the capital was localized.

Klitschko also reported a fire on a small area of territory in the Pecherskyi district as a result of the fall of UAV debris. No buildings were damaged. There were no casualties.

At 9:18 pm, the Kyiv City Military Administration reported that the fire in the Solomianskyi district had been put out.

Radio Svoboda journalists showed the wreckage of a UAV shot down over Kyiv, which fell near the railway station, on the building of a shopping and office center on Lypkivsky Street (Solomianskyi district).

“A fire broke out in a separate four-story building as a result of a possible fall of the UAV remains. The fire has been extinguished. According to preliminary information, there were no casualties. In the Pecherskyi district, a fire broke out on an area of 5 square meters. State Emergency Service units are working at the scene. The information is being updated and clarified,” Serhii Popko wrote. 

Earlier, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Serhii Popko, reported the downing of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

“During the last air raid alert, an unmanned aerial vehicle was spotted over Kyiv. The object was shot down by the Ukrainian Air Defense Forces. There is no information on casualties or damage to housing or infrastructure. The information is being clarified,” he said. 

Earlier, Kyiv residents reported hearing several explosions. They were heard around 8:15 pm. 

Later, the Kyiv City Military Administration reported that air defense was operating.

“Air defense is working! Stay calm! Stay in shelters until the air raid is over!" the administration emphasized at 8:17 pm. 

An air raid alert was announced in Kyiv at 8:00 pm. In the Kyiv region - at 7:42 pm. It was canceled in Kyiv and the region at 8:33 pm. 

• On the night of May 4, explosions occurred in Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, and Odesa. Ukrainian forces managed to shoot down 18 out of 24 Shahed-136/131. In Odesa, 3 drones attacked dormitories and a fire broke out. In Kyiv and the region, cars, road surfaces and non-residential buildings were damaged.