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In what Ukrainian officials assert as the most intensive drone assault since the war's onset, Russia has reportedly sent waves of kamikaze drones into Ukraine, raising concerns of a sustained campaign aimed at crippling the nation's energy infrastructure.

Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, in a statement on his Telegram channel, identified Kyiv as the primary target of the attack. Ukrainian officials claim that around 75 Iranian-made Shahed drones were deployed in the early hours of Saturday, with 71 successfully intercepted.

The capital sustained damage, with falling debris injuring five people, including an 11-year-old child, according to Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko. Several buildings, including a kindergarten, were affected, leaving approximately 17,000 people in the Kyiv region without electricity. Power was later restored.

Ukrainian authorities reported that the drones approached from two directions, seemingly aiming to overwhelm the capital's air defenses. The attack commenced with an air raid siren at about 2:30 am, followed by multiple waves of strikes, causing loud booms starting at around 4 am and echoing in the city center close to 6 am.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged the successful interception of most drones but expressed regret that not all were neutralized. Bridget Brink, the US ambassador to Ukraine, condemned the attacks as Russia's cynical move amid dropping temperatures.

As colder weather is forecast in the coming days, concerns are raised about the potential impact of such attacks on critical infrastructure. Ukrainian officials had earlier speculated that Russia might wait for a cold spell before launching winter assaults.

Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s national security council, mentioned preparations for potential attacks during a recent unannounced visit to London, where discussions on safeguarding Ukrainian infrastructure took place.

British defense intelligence suggested that Moscow may be stockpiling missiles for a significant offensive, citing a two-month refraining from launching premier air-launched cruise missiles. Last year's attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure lasted for several months, causing extensive damage and leaving millions without power.

Ukraine claims better preparedness this year, with air defense systems from western partners safeguarding key sites. Despite these measures, the entire country remains vulnerable. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy warned of retaliatory actions if Russia pursues similar attacks, emphasizing the nation's commitment to defending and responding to potential threats.