A photo of a drone taken seconds before the attack over Kiiu, the Ukrainian capital, on the 17th (local time). | AP Yonhap News
Eight civilians, including a pregnant woman, were killed in a Russian drone strike on the 17th (local time) in Ukraine. Western condemnation of Iran is growing as the damage caused by drones believed to have been handed over by Iran has skyrocketed.
Ukraine’s National Emergency Service said the Russian attack killed four people and injured three in the capital, Kiiu, according to AFP and Archyde.com. Kiiu Mayor Vitali Klicichko said two of the dead were a young couple, including a six-month pregnant woman.
In Kiiu, an air raid warning sounded at around 6:35 this morning, followed by four attacks believed to be Russian self-destruct drones, which destroyed several houses and buildings and caused fires. According to the National Emergency Service, four people were killed and several others were injured when a substation was hit by a Russian rocket in the northeastern province of Sumi.
The West’s criticism of Iran has grown as the self-destruct drone strike, believed to have been made by Iran, resulted in numerous civilian casualties. White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said at a briefing: “I have seen all reports of drones that appear to have been made in Iran attacking downtown Kiiu and Iran continues to lie.” “There is extensive evidence that Russia has used it against the military as well as civilians,” he said. Earlier, Iran’s foreign ministry denied the rumors of selling drones, saying, “Western news that Iran has sent drones to Russia has political intent.”
“Reportedly, Iran is considering selling more destructive weapons to support an invasion that it opposes,” said Jean-Pierre, spokesperson for Jean-Pierre. will make it more difficult for Iran to sell arms to Russia,” he said.
Last month, the US sanctioned an Iranian company that helped deliver Iranian drones to Russia, and it is reported that additional sanctions related to drone trade are being prepared. The United States also announced on the 14th that it would impose sanctions on individuals, companies, and countries that provide ammunition to Russia or support the Russian military-industrial complex.