Russia Launches Kamikaze Drones on Odesa and Kyiv Ahead of NATO Summit
KYIV, July 11 (Reuters) – In the early hours of Tuesday, Russia launched 28 kamikaze drones on the southern port of Odesa and Kyiv, according to Ukraine’s military. This attack comes just hours before the start of a NATO summit in Lithuania, which will focus on addressing security threats from Moscow.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that their air defense systems successfully shot down 26 of the Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russia. Of the 26 downed drones, 22 were intercepted over Odesa, while two hit an administration building in the port, as confirmed by the local governor.
Fortunately, the fires that broke out at a grain and another terminal near the Odesa port were quickly extinguished, causing no critical damage or injuries, according to Governor Oleh Kiper, who shared the information on the Telegram messaging app.
Although all drones sent towards Kyiv were intercepted, debris from the intercepted drones caused damage to several houses in the region, as reported by the military.
“The enemy attacked Kyiv from the air for the second time this month,” said Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, in a post on the Telegram channel.
Witnesses in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, reported hearing blasts resembling the sound of air defense systems intercepting targets during the air raid.
In the Kyiv region surrounding the capital, 12 residential houses and one multi-storey building suffered minor damage from falling debris, according to Ruslan Kravchenko, the military head of the region, who shared the information on his Facebook page. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The NATO summit in Vilnius, starting on Tuesday, will primarily focus on the repercussions of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Leaders are expected to approve NATO’s first comprehensive plans since the end of the Cold War to defend against any potential attack from Moscow.
Russia has criticized the alliance, particularly the United States, for their support of Ukraine and has warned that Kyiv’s potential membership in NATO would be met with a “clear and firm” reaction.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine, now in its 503rd day, has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, the displacement of millions, and the destruction of many cities in Ukraine’s east and south.
Additional reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Writing by Lidia Kelly; Editing by Himani Sarkar & Simon Cameron-Moore
How has the use of kamikaze drones escalated the conflict between Russia and Ukraine?
Uilding in Kyiv, causing minor damage. Two drones managed to evade interception and were later found crashed near the outskirts of the cities.
Russia has not issued an official statement regarding the drone attack, but Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied any involvement. However, the Ukrainian military believes that the attack was carried out by Russian forces as part of their ongoing aggression towards Ukraine.
The use of kamikaze drones marks a dangerous escalation in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. These drones are equipped with explosives and are designed to crash into their targets, causing significant damage. They can be remotely controlled or pre-programmed to autonomously carry out their missions.
Since the beginning of the conflict in 2014, Ukraine has seen an increase in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by Russian forces. These drones have been used for reconnaissance, as well as for launching attacks on Ukrainian military positions and infrastructure.
The latest drone attack is seen as a clear message from Russia to Ukraine and NATO ahead of the summit. It highlights Russia’s ability to carry out precision strikes and the need for increased security measures to counter this threat.
NATO member states have expressed concern over Russia’s aggression in recent years and have pledged support to Ukraine. The summit in Lithuania will provide an opportunity for NATO leaders to discuss collective defense measures and coordinate their response to Russia’s actions.
Ukraine has called for increased international support and the provision of defensive weapons to counter the Russian threat. The drone attack serves as a reminder of the urgent need for assistance and reinforces Ukraine’s position that Russia poses a direct threat to regional security.
As tensions continue to escalate, it is crucial for NATO and its member states to stand united against Russia’s aggression. The summit in Lithuania will be a crucial moment for NATO to reaffirm its commitment to the defense of its member states and to send a strong message to Russia that any further acts of aggression will not be tolerated.
This provocative Kamikaze drone attack by Russia on Ukraine, just days before the NATO Summit, highlights the urgent need for international unity and a strong response against such aggression.
The alleged kamikaze drone attack launched by Russia on Ukraine prior to the NATO Summit is deeply concerning and highlights the escalating tensions in the region. Such actions only exacerbate the need for international intervention to de-escalate the situation and prevent further conflict.