On the night of Monday (30 December, local time), Russian forces launched a significant attack on Ukraine, deploying 43 strike drones, including Shaheds, targeting multiple regions. Ukrainian air defense forces successfully destroyed 21 of the incoming drones, mitigating the impact of the assault. The attack occurred in areas such as Kharkiv, Poltava, Chernihiv, Odesa, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk, with the Odesa and Kharkiv regions facing the most severe damage.
While Ukrainian forces managed to intercept the majority of the drones, some debris from the downed UAVs caused damage to private homes and residential buildings, particularly in the Kharkiv and Odesa areas. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or fatalities. However, the attack resulted in material damage to homes and farms, disrupting daily life in affected regions.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the drones were launched from the Primorsko-Akhtarsk region in Russia, between 7:00 p.m. (local time) on Sunday (29 December) and 9:00 a.m. (local time) on Monday (30 December). In addition to the 21 Shahed drones destroyed, Ukrainian forces also neutralized 22 drone simulators. These actions demonstrated the effectiveness of Ukraine’s air defense capabilities in reducing the potential impact of the Russian offensive.
Regional authorities, particularly in Odesa, have been actively working to assess the damage and restore affected areas. In the Rozdilnyansky district of Odesa, several residential buildings suffered damage to windows, roofs, and facades due to falling debris from downed drones. Despite the destruction, there were no fires or significant casualties, and efforts to repair the damage and ensure the safety of residents are underway.
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