Russia launched a wave of Iranian-built drones laden with explosives against the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on October 17. The strikes came a week after a massive barrage of Russian missile attacks across the country killed at least 19 people.
Russia Unleashes Iranian-Built 'Kamikaze' Drones On Kyiv
- By RFE/RL
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An AFP photographer captured a Russian-launched, Iranian-built suicide drone shortly before impact in Kyiv on October 17.
The Iranian-made Shahed 136, which Russia has rebranded as the Geran-2 drone, packs an explosive charge and can linger over targets before nosediving into them. Their distinctive delta-shaped wing make them readily identifiable.
The Iranian-made Shahed 136, which Russia has rebranded as the Geran-2 drone, packs an explosive charge and can linger over targets before nosediving into them. Their distinctive delta-shaped wing make them readily identifiable.
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Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, confirmed that Shahed drones were among those used in the strike on Kyiv, causing heavy damage to residential buildings.
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A police officer fires at an incoming drone in central Kyiv.
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A man is seen falling to the ground in Kyiv as another runs away from the impact of a Russian strike.
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A man is surrounded by dust near the site of a drone attack.
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Medics help the injured during the attack.
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A police officer fires at a drone.
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A soldier watches the sky as air-raid sirens sound.
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Local residents look on after a Russian drone strike in Kyiv.
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Firemen work to put out a fire on a residential building in the Shevchenkivskiy district, which was hit during the strike.
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The Shevchenkivskiy district is the same area hit by Russian strikes a week earlier.
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A police expert holds what authorities say is a fragment of a drone which purports to bear a handwritten inscription reading “For Belgorod. For Luch.”
Russia has accused Ukraine of hitting targets in Belgorod region near the border. Pro-Russian news sources on the Telegram social media app reported that Ukraine had struck Belgorod's airport overnight.
Russia has accused Ukraine of hitting targets in Belgorod region near the border. Pro-Russian news sources on the Telegram social media app reported that Ukraine had struck Belgorod's airport overnight.
