Russian Strikes on Kyiv, Central Ukraine Kill 2 Teens and Injure Dozens

This undated handout photograph released by the Ukrainian Emergency Service on October 26, 2024, shows rescuers working on the site of a Russian air attack in Dnipro, eastern Ukraine, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE / AFP)
This undated handout photograph released by the Ukrainian Emergency Service on October 26, 2024, shows rescuers working on the site of a Russian air attack in Dnipro, eastern Ukraine, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE / AFP)
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Russian Strikes on Kyiv, Central Ukraine Kill 2 Teens and Injure Dozens

This undated handout photograph released by the Ukrainian Emergency Service on October 26, 2024, shows rescuers working on the site of a Russian air attack in Dnipro, eastern Ukraine, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE / AFP)
This undated handout photograph released by the Ukrainian Emergency Service on October 26, 2024, shows rescuers working on the site of a Russian air attack in Dnipro, eastern Ukraine, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE / AFP)

A Russian drone strike killed a teenager in Kyiv during a nighttime barrage on the Ukrainian capital that lasted for hours, local officials said, while three people were reportedly killed in a missile attack on central Ukraine that left at least 20 injured.

According to Kyiv mayor Vitalii Klitschko, the drone slammed into a 25-storey apartment block Friday night in the city's west, killing a 15-year-old girl and injuring five others. Ukraine's Emergency Service said 100 people were evacuated following the strike, which damaged several apartments on the building's upper floors.

Serhii Popko, who heads Kyiv's local military administration, said on Saturday that Russian forces overnight pummeled the city for seven and a half hours. Air raid sirens wailed throughout the night, and Popko said that Ukrainian air defense shot down “up to a dozen” Russian drones.

Also late on Friday, a Russian missile hit a residential area in the central city of Dnipro, killing a 14-year-old and two adult women, said regional governor Serhii Lysak, adding that at least 20 others were left with injuries, including an 8-year-old and teenagers. He said the attack damaged thirteen apartment buildings, private houses and a medical facility.



Israel Signs $500 Mln Deal on Interception System that Strikes Down Rockets, Missiles and Drones

06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. (dpa)
06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. (dpa)
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Israel Signs $500 Mln Deal on Interception System that Strikes Down Rockets, Missiles and Drones

06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. (dpa)
06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. (dpa)

Israel’s Defense Ministry said Monday it has signed a $500 million deal to begin production of a laser interception system that can strike down incoming rockets, missiles and drones.

The Iron Beam will be produced by two Israeli companies and is expected to be ready in a year’s time, the ministry said.

Israel already has an elaborate, multilayered aerial defense system that relies on interceptors to strike down incoming missile fire and drones. But Israel has said the Iron Beam system will be a game changer because it would be much cheaper to operate than existing systems. It is expected to be operational within a year

The aerial defense array includes the Iron Dome, which intercepts short range missiles and drones, David’s Sling, which intercepts medium-range missiles, and The Arrow, which intercepts long-range ballistic missiles.

“The Iron Beam will complement the Iron Dome, and the combination of laser and missile interception will further strengthen our defense systems against rockets, missiles, UAVs, cruise missiles, and additional threats,” the ministry said.

The vast majority of missiles and drones fired at Israel during the ongoing Mideast wars have been intercepted. However, some have made it through and drones have become a particular challenge to shoot down.