Kyiv hit by drone onslaught

BUILDINGS were set ablaze and at least one person died yesterday, in Russia's biggest drone strike on Kyiv

- Chris Riches

Ukraine's air defences shot down 52 of the Kremlin's 54 flying bombs, although debris from one of the Iranian-made devices killed a man aged 41, said mayor Vitali Klitschko.

Vladimir Putin's first deadly attack on Ukraine's capital this month was launched on Kyiv Day.

Irritant

Residents mark the anniversary of the city's founding with fairs, concerts and museum exhibitions.

Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office, said on social media: "The history of Ukraine is a long-standing irritant for the insecure Russians."

With a Ukrainian counter-offensive on the horizon, Moscow has ramped up air strikes to target key military sites and vital supplies.

The drone onslaught was launched after Kyiv said that clashes had eased around the besieged city of Bakhmut in south-eastern Ukraine scene of the war's longest battle.