Multiple blasts rocked the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday morning in a predawn raid, sending residents across Kiev into bomb shelters and underground metro stations as air sirens blared. The sirens rang out while the attack occurred for over half an hour as drones hovered under the cover of darkness.

Ukrainian officials said air defense systems were activated against the inbound suicide drones, and claimed to have shot down a total of 13. Mayor Vitali Klitschko identified them as Shahed drones which reportedly targeted the city's energy infrastructure.

Klitschko cited explosions in the central Shevchenkivskyi district, with resulting damage to two administrative buildings, but no casualties have been reported. It was the first significant Russian assault on the capital in days.

Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said in the attack aftermath that "The air defenses worked well," detailing that "Thirteen (drones) were shot down." President Zelensky in follow-up told his forces: "Well done, I am proud," in a brief video message hailing the performance of the air defense units.

These attacks are expected to hasten Biden administration decision-making surrounding whether to send Patriot anti-air missile defense systems to the Ukrainians, marking a significant escalation with Russia. However, even if Patriots for Ukraine are approved, it's likely to take multiple months for them to deploy on the battlefield, given also the Ukrainians would have to be trained on their operation.

Heavy fighting has continued to unfold this week in Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast.

https://www.zerohedge.com/military/iran-made-drones-pummel-ukraines-capital-over-dozen-shot-down