Russia Attacks Kyiv with Kamikaze Drones, Explosions Heard

Russian Kamikaze drones have hit Ukraine’s capital, in what appears to be its retaliation for the latter’s alleged attack on Belgorod airport.

At least five explosions rang out in Kyiv on the morning of October 17. Mayor Vitalii Klitschko confirmed on his Telegram channel that Moscow had used Kamikaze drones in the attacks today. Residential buildings in the central Shevchenkivskiy area have been damaged.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to respond with massive strikes if there were any attacks on Russian soil.

“If the attempts to carry out terrorist attacks on our territory continue, Russia's responses will be harsh and proportionate…No one should have any doubt about that," he said at a briefing today. “This morning, at the suggestion of the Ministry of Defense and according to the plan of the Russian General Staff, a massive air, sea and land-based high-precision long-range weapon was launched against energy, military command and communications facilities of Ukraine.”

Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Zelensky's office, described the kamikaze attacks as Russia's "death throes", and that Ukraine needed more air defense systems "as soon as possible.”

Kamikaze drones (loitering munitions) are small aerial weapons which are destroyed after striking the target. Unlike other drones which are supposed to return home after dropping missiles, these are disposable.

Ukraine's defense ministry claimed on Monday that it shot down 37 Iran-made Russian Shahed-136 loitering munitions and three cruise missiles over the past 13 hours.

Related news: Poland-origin Ukrainian Air Defenses Shoot Down Iran-made Shahed UAVs Containing Polish Components

Israel helping Kyiv with Intelligence On Iranian Kamikaze UAVs?

A top Ukrainian official told The New York Times that Israel is giving Ukraine “basic intelligence” regarding Iranian suicide drones that have been overwhelmingly deployed by the Russian military.

An Israeli security company has reportedly supplied satellite images of Russian military positions to the Ukrainians. As per reports, Ukrainian forces shot down 50 suicide drones this week, including nine on a single day alone.