Kyiv: Ukraine announced on Thursday that its air defense systems, located in Kyiv and various other parts of the country, successfully intercepted dozens of Iranian-designed drones launched by Russian forces in an overnight assault.

The Ukrainian air force disclosed on Telegram that "Russian occupiers attacked with 'Shahed' type UAVs from three directions: Chauda - occupied Crimea, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Kursk." According to the statement, Ukrainian defenses managed to shoot down 34 out of the 35 drones, and no casualties were reported. The use of drone attacks by Russian forces has become a frequent occurrence in Ukraine, prompting Kyiv to enhance its air defense capabilities with assistance from European and US allies.

In recent times, Moscow has escalated its night-time attacks, prompting Ukraine to request additional air defense systems from its allies. However, the Democratic and Republican leaders of the US Senate indicated on Tuesday that approval for new aid to Ukraine would not be granted before the end of the year.

Kyiv has accused the Kremlin of attempting to instill fear among its civilians and sabotage its energy infrastructure, potentially leading to a dark and cold winter in the country. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with the former seeking international support to bolster its defenses against such incursions.