Russia launches daytime drone attack on Kyiv; Ukraine downs most targets

Kyiv: Russia launched a rare daylight drone attack on Kyiv on Monday, Ukrainian officials said, with multiple explosions rocking the city and debris falling onto the capital's main square.

Ukrainian air defence units shot down 194 of 211 Russian drones, the air force said, adding that the morning strike was unusual in both timing and the types of drones used to target the Kyiv region. Drone attacks on the capital typically occur at night, when the aircraft are harder to detect.

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"Around 30 drones of various types were targeting the Kyiv region," air force spokesperson Yuri Ihnat told Ukrainian television.

"The not-so-good news is that these drones have communication channels - mesh networks and other systems - which the enemy can use to control them," he said. "The better news is that almost all of them were shot down."

Russia has previously relied on pre-programmed drones for long-range attacks that cannot be piloted once launched. Experts were examining the wreckage to determine the types of drones used, Ihnat added.