Ukraine Air Force says it shot down 18 drones launched by Russia

Ukrainian servicemen use spotlights as they search for drones in the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike in Kyiv on Thursday. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters)

Ukraine’s Air Force destroyed 18 of 24 drones fired by Russia on Wednesday night, it said in a statement released early Thursday.

“On (Wednesday night), the enemy again attacked with Shaheds from the north (Bryansk region) and from the south - the eastern coast of the Azov Sea," the statement said. "This time, the Air Force, in cooperation with the air defense of other components of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, destroyed 18 attack UAVs.”

Intense attacks: Explosions were heard in the capital Kyiv and Odesa early Thursday morning, with air defenses activated and people told to stay in safe places until air alerts stopped ringing, according to Ukrainian officials.

The capital region's military chief said Ukrainian air defenses withstood Russia's most intense air attack on Kyiv since the start of the year overnight and into Thursday morning, and destroyed all Russian missiles and drones.

There were no civilian casualties or damage to residential buildings and infrastructure, he added.

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