Russian ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv early Friday caused significant damage to infrastructure and embassies, underscoring the escalating intensity of the conflict. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted five ballistic missiles, but falling debris from the missiles inflicted civilian casualties and damaged multiple buildings in the city center.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched five Iskander-M/North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles targeting Kyiv. While all missiles were intercepted, debris struck various parts of the city, including a building housing several foreign embassies.
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Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi confirmed damage to embassies from Albania, Argentina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Palestine, and Portugal, among others. Additionally, debris impacted warehouses and critical infrastructure in Kyiv.
Overnight strikes included a barrage of 65 drones and additional missiles targeting Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Sumy oblasts. Ukrainian forces successfully downed 40 drones, and electronic warfare disrupted 20 drones, causing them to lose control. However, some missiles and drones managed to damage civilian infrastructure in multiple regions.
Amid relentless Russian attacks, Ukraine continues to innovate its military strategies and technology. For the first time, Ukrainian forces executed a ground assault using only unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and first-person view (FPV) drones, according to a Ukrainian brigade spokesperson in the Kharkiv region.
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The attack, which occurred near Lyptsi, involved dozens of UGVs equipped with machine guns and capable of laying and clearing mines. The strike reportedly destroyed several Russian positions, demonstrating Ukraine’s ability to integrate advanced robotic systems into combat operations.
Ukraine has also made advancements in drone technology. The Ukrainian General Staff announced the successful testing of a drone equipped with fiber optic cables, designed to resist electronic warfare interference.
A Ukrainian company unveiled a prototype of the first FPV drone made entirely from domestically manufactured components, an innovation aimed at reducing reliance on foreign parts and increasing resilience against Russian electronic warfare.
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The missile and drone exchanges highlight the intensifying technological arms race between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine’s efforts to leverage innovation seek to counteract its manpower limitations, contrasting with Russia’s reported strategy of accepting high casualty rates for minimal territorial gains.
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