Russian army trying to surround Ukraine's Avdiivka, two explosions heard in Kyiv

Ukraine says it downed 19 out of 31 drones launched by Russia overnight

Ukraine said on Saturday that it downed around two-thirds of the 31 attack drones launched by Russia overnight, mostly on frontline areas.

"Nineteen enemy Shahed-136/131 attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were destroyed. The Russian occupants sent most of the attack UAVs to the frontline areas," the air force said, adding Russia also used several missiles. 
 

Two strong explosions heard in central Kyiv

Two strong explosions were heard in central Kyiv on Saturday morning by AFP journalists, who also saw trails in the sky, shortly before air raid sirens sounded.

"Strong explosions were heard on the left bank of the capital. According to preliminary information, the air defences worked against ballistic weapons," Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram.

There were no reports of injured people so far, he said.

The attack came after a long period of calm in the Ukrainian capital. 
 

Russian forces still trying to surround eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, Ukrainian army says

The Russian army, which has been attacking the city of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine for the past month, is still trying to encircle it and seize a strategic factory, said a Ukrainian army spokesman on Friday, adding that two civilians had been killed the previous day.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP & Reuters)