RUSSIA USES ‘IRAN-MADE DRONES’ TO TARGET ‘CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE’ IN KYIV

Mon 19  December 2022:

Russia’s military has targeted the capital of Ukraine with a series of drone attacks that once more hit “critical infrastructure.”

According to officials, over 20 drones were sent to Kyiv and the surrounding area early on Monday. About 15 of the unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed by air defense systems.

Air raid sirens blasted in the early morning before the sky was declared clear at 5:50am (07:50 GMT).

The Kyiv city administration said on its Telegram account that a critical infrastructure point was hit, but did not provide further details.

“The enemy is attacking the capital,” the administration said.

Russian forces were using barrage ammunition from Shaheds, Iran-made drones that have pummeled Kyiv and other cities in recent weeks, it said.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed on Monday that explosions had occurred.

“As a result of the attack on the capital, critical infrastructure facilities were damaged,” Klitschko said on the Telegram messaging app.

Kyiv regional Governor Oleksii Kuleba also reported some infrastructure facilities were damaged, as well as private houses, and at least two people were injured. No deaths were reported.

Ukraine’s government, the United Nations human rights office, and the head of the European Commission have said the attacks constitute war crimes by threatening civilians and stifling basic services in a country where an estimated 18 million people are already in need of humanitarian aid.

Moscow, for its part, has maintained that such attacks are militarily justified.

The EU and the US have also increased sanctions against Iran in an effort to target individuals and businesses allegedly involved in the country’s drone industry.

Tehran admitted in November that it had sold Russia a “limited number of drones” prior to the invasion, but has maintained that it does not support either side in the conflict.