Claims For Successful Shooting Fall All Russian Drones, Presidential Chief Of Staff Of Ukraine: Their Terror Tactics Will Not Work

The impact of the Russian attack on the new year in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Wikimedia Commons/Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv)

JAKARTA - Ukraine said on Monday it managed to shoot down all Russian drones in a massive wave of attacks, after Moscow launched an unprecedented third-night airstrike against civilian targets, intensifying its air warfare during the New Year holidays.

Russia carried out night attacks on Ukrainian cities during the New Year, including Kyiv, hundreds of kilometers from the front lines. It marked a tactical change after months in which Moscow usually carried out such attacks for about a week.

After firing dozens of missiles on December 31, Russia launched dozens of Iranian-made Shahed drones on January 1 and January 2 into the Ukrainian capital.

Kyiv said the new tactic was a sign of Russian despair, as Ukraine's ability to defend its airspace had increased.

Russia has been trying to destroy Ukraine's energy infrastructure for months, but failed as Ukraine gained better defense, Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak said on Telegram.

"Now they are looking for a route and trying to attack us somehow, but their terror tactics will not work. Our sky will turn into a shield," he said.

Ukraine's air defense system is working throughout the night to bring down the incoming drones, warning the public about the dangers approaching.

"His voice is loud in the region and in the capital: night drone attacks," said Governor Kyiv Oleksify Kuleba.

"Russia launched several waves of Shahed drones. Targeting critical infrastructure facilities. Air defenses are working."

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Ukraine, showing gratitude to the troops and one another, saying Russia's efforts would be in vain.

"Drones, missiles, others will not help them," he said of Russia.

"Because we are united. They are united only by fear," President Zelensky continued.

Russia, which has seized and claimed to annex about a fifth of Ukraine, has turned to mass airstrikes against Ukrainian cities since losing on the battlefield in the second half of 2022.

Russia says its attacks that have extinguished the heat and electricity of millions in winter are aimed at reducing Kyiv's ability to go to war.

Meanwhile, Ukraine said the attack had no military purpose and was meant to injure civilians, considered a war crime.