Kyiv, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Nearly two hundred drones were used in a Russian attack on Ukraine overnight, focusing mainly on the Kyiv region and energy facilities in the east, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, authorities disclosed on Wednesday.
Russia has intensified its drone strikes on Ukraine, conducting attacks every night in recent weeks, with a record 267 drones deployed in three years of conflict, on Sunday.
Ukraine's air defenses successfully intercepted 110 out of 177 drones launched by Russia during the latest assault, the air force confirmed.
The remaining 66 drones were described as "lost," hinting at Ukraine's use of electronic warfare techniques to disrupt Russian drone operations. Regions targeted by the strikes included Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, and Sumy.
DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, reported damage to its facility in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, although specific details were not provided.
While Russia predominantly targeted Ukraine's electricity infrastructure last year, recent months have seen a significant increase in attacks on gas storage facilities and production fields through missiles and drones.
A drone strike in the Kyiv region resulted in two fatalities, at least two injuries, and fires in multiple residences, according to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry.
One civilian was discovered deceased in a residence that was engulfed by flames due to the attack, as stated by Mykola Kalashnyk, the governor of the region surrounding the Ukrainian capital, in a post on the Telegram messaging app.
Footage and images posted on Telegram by the emergency services depicted firefighters containing flames during the night at residential buildings and garages in Kyiv's Bucha district.
Russia has not issued an immediate response.
Both parties deny targeting civilians in the conflict that commenced in February 2022 with Russia's full-scale invasion. Nevertheless, thousands of civilians, with the vast majority being Ukrainian, have lost their lives in the conflict.
Through the night, witnesses reported hearing explosions in and around Kyiv, along with the sound of air defense systems operating.