Putin’s 21-drone strike on the Ukrainian city of Khmelnytskyi was an attempt to destroy a weapons cache amid Russia’s fears that the invaded country now has superior military firepower.
- A pro-Russian source said it was an attempt to ‘destroy’ NATO-supplied weapons
- The drone attack on Khmelnytsky, Ukraine, occurred at around 3:05 a.m. on Friday
Vladimir Putin’s 21-drone attack on a Ukrainian army facility was an attempt to “destroy” NATO-supplied weapons amid fears the war-torn country now has “superior” military firepower, a pro-Russian source claims .
The Shahed drone strike on the city of Khmelnytsky, in western Ukraine, hit a missile and ammunition depot and caused a massive mushroom cloud explosion around 3:05 a.m. Friday.
But a pro-Russian source has now claimed that Putin is trying to destroy Ukraine’s “superior military firepower” before it has a chance to launch a counter-offensive.
It comes after the United Kingdom delivered long-range Storm Shadow missiles capable of carrying a 992-pound nuclear warhead up to 200 miles to Ukraine.
Four drones hit the facility and another 17 were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses, according to the city’s military administration.
Vladimir Putin’s 21-drone attack on a Ukrainian army facility was an attempt to ‘destroy’ weapons supplied by NATO amid fears the war-torn country now has ‘superior’ military firepower
The Shahed drone strike on the town of Khmelnytsky, western Ukraine, hit a facility that stored missiles and munitions, causing a massive mushroom cloud explosion
Twenty-one casualties were reported, with two requiring hospital treatment and others requiring outpatient care.
The Russian pro-war source said, “We are trying to destroy the weapons and ammunition that Ukraine has stockpiled in NATO countries.
“This is a major attack, but we need more because we know that Ukraine now has superior military firepower in many areas.”
Khmelnytskyi Mayor Oleksandr Simchyshyn said on Friday: “Today the enemy again attacked Khmelnytskyi with a strike drone, hitting one of the critical infrastructure facilities of the region, located outside the settlements.
“However, at the moment we have 21 injured. Two of them were hospitalized, the others received medical attention and were transferred to outpatient treatment.”
Yuriy Ihnat, spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, added: “Unfortunately, not all drones were destroyed that night – 17 out of 21 UAVs. There are four hits in the Khmelnytskyi region.’
Twenty-one casualties were reported, with two requiring hospital treatment and others requiring outpatient care
But educational and medical institutions, administrative buildings, industrial facilities, high-rise buildings and private homes were damaged by the explosions.
A resident told vsim.ua: “It was so loud. I have an 8 month old baby, she even jumped on the crib.
“After the first explosion, we all woke up and went to the basement. Three to four explosions were also heard from there.
“They were so strong that the plaster fell out of the cellar. The child shivered, was frightened and cried at every sound.
“At our house, the metal entrance door was almost folded in half. The window flew right out.
“The people in the village were in such trouble. Some had their roofs, balconies and front doors completely blown away.’