The Ukrainian military warned of possible drone attacks on the capital Kyiv early on Thursday, stating that anti-aircraft units were active throughout the city. Air raid alerts were activated in the eastern half of the country. Later, Ukrainian officials reported that "about 15 drones were shot down during an attack over Kyiv," without specifying the party responsible for the assault, marking the second targeting of the capital in two days.
Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv Military Administration, confirmed that "initial information does not indicate any damage or casualties," revealing that "the attackers used a barrage of Shahed missiles in a three-hour attack." The Ukrainian military mentioned the presence of 17 enemy ships in the Black Sea, two of which were carrying Kalibr missiles.
Ukrainian officials stated on Wednesday that Russian forces had not made any advances at the frontline, but are well fortified in areas under their control, which are filled with mines, making the movement of Ukrainian forces to the east and south "a difficult task." Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar noted that Russian forces "have persistently tried to halt our advance in the Bakhmut sector without success."
She added: "Russian forces are intensifying their reserves and equipment in three areas in the north," where reports of heavy fighting have been noted in recent weeks. Ukrainian Security Council chief Oleksiy Danilov observed that "Russian forces had ample time during the months they occupied Ukraine to prepare their defenses and lay vast minefields."
Danilov reiterated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claims that although progress is slower than hoped, it cannot be rushed to avoid risking lives. He stated: "No one but us can dictate deadlines. There is no set schedule, and I have never used the term counteroffensive. There are military operations that are very complex and depend on many factors."
Regarding the formal television remarks, he pointed out that "the enemy has fully prepared for these events. The number of mines in the area our forces regained control over is absolutely insane. On average, there are three, four, or five mines per square meter." The Russian Defense Ministry, in its account of events, indicated that Ukrainian forces made unsuccessful attempts to advance in several sectors in the southern and northern parts of the Donetsk region. Russian reports on the fighting at the frontline claimed that 12 Ukrainian attacks were repelled in the Donetsk area.
