Russia Strikes Drone Exhibition Near Kyiv, Killing 15

Kyiv. At least 15 people have died and around 100 have been injured in a ballistic missile attack by Russia targeting a drone technology exhibition held near the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the attack, which occurred in the afternoon during an exhibition attended by high-ranking defense officials and drone technology experts, caused the biggest casualties. It is reported that 10 people lost their lives in this attack alone.

Meanwhile, five more people have died in a Russian glide bomb attack on the city of Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian military officials have confirmed that two people died on Saturday morning in the northern city of Sumy.

Before the attack, on Friday evening, President Zelensky had stated that intelligence information indicated Russia was preparing for another major missile attack within the next 48 hours.

According to Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia fired three ballistic missiles in the attack near Kyiv, of which only one was successfully shot down by the Ukrainian air defense system.

Russia has also confirmed the attack, issuing a statement through its Ministry of Defense. The ministry stated that high-precision long-range weapons were used against a site where drones intended to target civilian areas within Russia were being exhibited. Russia also claimed that drone manufacturers, representatives of the Ukrainian drone forces, and security officials planning attacks against Russia were present there.

This is the third attack on such a drone exhibition since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The organization of such an event with extensive public promotion has also faced strong criticism within Ukraine.

Following the incident, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine announced that an investigation has been launched into who made the decision to organize the exhibition and what the state of security arrangements was.

Meanwhile, the Russian side reported that six people died and 26 were injured in a Ukrainian attack on a military industry in the city of Kirov, Russia, on Friday. Ukraine has also carried out drone attacks on the warehouses of Russia's largest online retailer, Wildberries.

President Zelensky stated that the factory in Kirov, targeted by the Ukrainian attack, produces important components for aircraft and missiles used in attacks on Ukraine. Ukraine has stated that in recent days, it has been targeting logistics centers instead of oil storage facilities.

Meanwhile, President Zelensky is preparing to visit the United States next week. According to a White House official, he is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The meeting is expected to discuss reviving peace talks to end the Ukraine-Russia war.

Meanwhile, Romanian President Nicușor Dan stated on Friday that a Romanian F-16 fighter jet shot down a Russian drone that had entered Romania's airspace. Prior to this, an air risk warning had been issued in the eastern and southeastern regions of Romania.