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Russia unleashed waves of airstrikes on Kiev overnight in what officials say appears to be the biggest drone strike on the city since the start of Ukraine's 458-day war as the Ukrainian capital prepared to celebrate the anniversary of its founding on Sunday.

The Ukrainian Air Force claimed to have shot down 52 of the 54 drones launched by Russia, calling it a record attack with Iranian-made "kamikaze" drones. It was unclear how many of the drones were shot down over Kiev.

The attacks came before dawn on the last Sunday in May, when the capital celebrates Kiev Day, the anniversary of its official founding 1,541 years ago. This day is usually celebrated with street fairs, live concerts and special exhibitions in museums, which have also been scheduled for this year, although on a smaller scale.

The Air Force said on Telegram that Russia had targeted military and critical infrastructure facilities in central Ukraine's regions, and in the Kiev region in particular.

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08.00

Russia Celebrates Kiev Day with Record Iranian-Made "Kamikaze" Drone Attack

Russia unleashed waves of airstrikes on Kiev overnight in what officials say appears to be the biggest drone strike on the city since the start of the war, as the Ukrainian capital prepared to mark the anniversary of its founding on Sunday.

The Ukrainian Air Force claimed to have shot down 52 of the 54 drones launched by Russia, calling it a record attack with Iranian-made "kamikaze" drones. It was unclear how many of the drones were shot down over Kiev, Reuters reports.

In what also appears to be the first deadly attack on Kiev in May and the fourteenth this month, falling debris killed a 41-year-old man, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

The attacks came before dawn on the last Sunday in May, when the capital celebrates Kiev Day, the anniversary of its official founding 1,541 years ago. This day is usually celebrated with street fairs, live concerts and special exhibitions in museums, which have also been scheduled for this year, although on a smaller scale.

"Ukraine's history is a long-standing irritant for insecure Russians," Andriy Yermak, head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's office, said on his Telegram channel.

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