Ukraine Repels Russian Drone Attack; Former Lawmaker Injured

Ukraine successfully repelled a Russian drone attack in the Kyiv region, although debris injured a former Russian lawmaker and his wife. The attack damaged residential buildings but caused no direct hits to critical infrastructure. Seven drones were shot down. Additional missile strikes added to the ongoing conflict.

Ukraine reported on Thursday that it repelled a Russian drone attack outside Kyiv overnight, resulting in injuries to two people, identified as former Russian lawmaker and Kremlin critic Ilya Ponomaryov, and his wife. Ponomaryov, who now holds Ukrainian citizenship, described the day as his 'second birthday.'

Ukrainska Pravda cited sources stating that the drone debris damaged Ponomaryov's home. The Obozrevatel news site published a picture showing Ponomaryov with his face and upper chest spattered with blood. Kyiv authorities confirmed that this was the second drone strike on the area in two nights.

The Ukrainian air force successfully shot down all seven Shahed-type drones used in the attack. On Wednesday, Ukraine reported that Russia had used 87 drones in one of its largest attacks of the war to date. Additional Russian missile strikes targeted the northeastern region of Kharkiv, causing further injuries and infrastructure damage.

(With inputs from agencies.)