On the 19th (local time), a power facility in Kyiv, Ukraine, was hit by a Russian drone strike. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 19th (local time), as Russia launched drone attacks on various locations including Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin began his visit to Belarus, according to reports from The Guardian and others.
According to reports, Kyiv military authorities announced via Telegram that more than 20 Iranian-made drones were detected over the capital in the early morning, with at least 15 of them shot down. Oleksiy Kuleba, Governor of Kyiv, stated that important infrastructure was damaged in the attack and two people were injured. Some sources report that the number of injured is three and nine buildings were damaged.
Recently, Russia has been conducting air raids mainly during the dark hours before sunrise to avoid Ukraine’s air defense systems. The air raid sirens began sounding around 2 a.m. local time on this day. Local media reported explosions occurred in the center of Kyiv and multiple explosions were heard in nearby areas.
The Ukrainian Air Force announced that it shot down 30 out of at least 35 suicide drones launched by Russia from the east of the Sea of Azov toward various parts of Ukraine. Following the drone attacks, Ukraine’s state-owned power company Ukrenergo reported emergency blackouts in 10 regions nationwide, including Kyiv. It also explained that while prioritizing the restoration of critical infrastructure, it may take some time before power supply to ordinary households is fully restored.
On the 19th (local time) at Minsk Airport in Belarus, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin greet each other. [Image source=Yonhap News]
These attacks by Russia came ahead of President Putin’s visit to Belarus. On this day, Putin visited Belarus for the first time in three years and held a summit with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. There has been speculation that Russia might demand Belarus’s participation in the Ukraine war.
Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, held a press conference with reporters before Putin’s arrival in Belarus and dismissed such speculation as "absolutely foolish and baseless fabrication." He explained that during this visit, "President Putin and President Lukashenko will have the opportunity to discuss military topics at today’s summit," but added that "the two leaders routinely discuss new objectives of the allied forces."
Belarus has consistently opposed Russia’s demands for participation in the war. President Lukashenko has repeatedly stated that he will not send troops to Ukraine.
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