Russian Drone Barrage Hits Kyiv Region, Killing One and Wounding Two

Russian forces launched a fresh wave of drone attacks on Ukraine's Kyiv region on Friday, marking the second consecutive day of aerial strikes. The assault damaged more than a dozen warehouses, private houses, and apartment buildings, according to regional officials.

At one food storage facility, firefighters battled thick black smoke as flames engulfed the building. An 18-year-old warehouse worker, Nazar Regodun, described seeing two Shahed drones hit the warehouse as he arrived for work. The facility stored items such as flour, sugar, margarine, and other food products.

Officials reported that the strikes killed one person and wounded two others. The attacks also damaged 14 warehouses, 16 private houses, three apartment buildings, and 16 vehicles, said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv regional military administration.

The State Emergency Service noted that a second drone struck one location after emergency crews had arrived, a tactic known as a "double tap" designed to target first responders.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its forces struck a warehouse storing Ukrainian cruise missiles and rocket fuel, but Ukrainian officials did not immediately confirm this, and the claim could not be independently verified.

Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, said Russia is deploying small numbers of fast-moving jet-powered drones in waves, aiming to exhaust air defenses and the population.

Authorities in the Kyiv region warned of worsened air quality due to the attacks and advised residents in some areas to keep windows closed and limit time outdoors. Tkachenko urged residents to stay in safe locations and heed air raid alerts as the attacks continued into daylight hours.