The head of Ukraine’s state railway, Alexander Kamyshin, says that the shelling occurred near Kyiv central station – confirming what the Guardian’s Daniel Boffey, who is at the station, said a few moments ago.
So far there are no known casualties from the strikes near the station, though residential buildings were also damaged in the attacks.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko says that “several residential buildings” have been damaged in the strikes on Kyiv this morning, and that medics are on site.
In a post on Telegram, Kitschko wrote:
As a result of the drone attack, a fire broke out in a non-residential building in the Shevchenkiv district of Kyiv. Fire departments are working. Several residential buildings were damaged. Medics are on the spot. We are clarifying the information about the victims.
Andriy Yermak, the head of the President’s Office, said in a post on Telegram confirming the Kamikaze drone attack on Kyiv this morning, “We need more air defense systems and as soon as possible. We have no time for slow actions. More weapons to defend the sky and destroy the enemy. So be it.”
According to Ukrainian military officials, “kamikaze drones” are cheaper and less sophisticated than missiles but have proved effective at causing damage to targets on the ground. The Shahed-136 drones are able to remain airborne for several hours and circle over potential targets before being flown into enemy troops, armour or buildings and exploding on impact.