KYIV: Ukrainian air defense downed two dozen Russian drones and several missiles overnight, some targeting the capital Kyiv, officials said Wednesday.
Russia’s repeated attacks across Ukraine are depleting the country’s air defense, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to plead for aid from allies.
“Missiles came at Kyiv from the south in several waves. Almost simultaneously enemy attack drones were moving toward the capital from the same southern direction,” the Kyiv administration said.
AFP journalists heard at least one explosion in the capital, where the air raid alert lasted two hours.
A fire broke out due to a strike in the Kyiv region, injuring a man, the national police said.
Overall Russia launched 24 drones and six missiles across the country, the air defense said.
Ukraine has since the start of the war strengthened air defense over the capital, where attacks usually make little damage.
Zelensky has however recently called for several additional Patriot systems, including two to defend the eastern Kharkiv region bordering Russia.
US media reported that the United States will send another Patriot missile air defense system to Ukraine in the coming days.
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Ukraine says destroys Russian missiles over Kyiv
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Ukraine says destroys Russian missiles over Kyiv
- Russia’s repeated attacks across Ukraine are depleting the country’s air defense
- Ukraine has since the start of the war strengthened air defense over the capital
Vietnam urges factories to cut output as Hanoi chokes on smog
HANOI: Industrial plants in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi have come under renewed pressure to scale back their operations as authorities respond to a week of heavy and hazardous smog in the city.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health earlier this week urged power, steel and chemical plants to cut output when the air quality index exceeds 200. The index gauges the volumes of hazardous small particles known as PM2.5 that are in the air.
The AQI hit 243 midday on Thursday, putting Hanoi fourth on the list of the world’s most-polluted cities, according to AirVisual, which provides independent global air pollution information via a phone app.
The city has topped the list on a number of occasions this week, according to the app, a position it also held in January.
The Southeast Asian country, a regional manufacturing hub which is urbanizing rapidly, has been suffering from severe air pollution for years, especially in Hanoi.
“My eyes are itchy, and there’s always a blanket of smog that blocks my vision,” said Hanoi resident Pham Thu Giang, 30. “I have to wear a mask all the time.”
The authorities have identified transportation, industrial production, construction activities and the burning of garbage and agricultural residue as the main sources of air pollution in the city.
“Gasoline-powered motorbikes are used widely in Hanoi, making them a major source of air pollution,” Le Thanh Thuy, an official of the city’s department of agriculture and environment, told local media on Thursday.
The city will impose partial bans on gasoline-powered motorbikes in downtown areas from mid-2026 and will gradually expand the ban thereafter to fossil-fuel-powered cars.
“The current air conditions are very dangerous for the capital Hanoi,” said 75-year old resident Luong Van Toi. “I feel very tired.”
If Hanoi’s AQI is converted into actual PM2.5 concentrations, the pollution this week could be as much as 50 times the 5-microgram/cu m level recommended by the World Health Organization.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health earlier this week urged power, steel and chemical plants to cut output when the air quality index exceeds 200. The index gauges the volumes of hazardous small particles known as PM2.5 that are in the air.
The AQI hit 243 midday on Thursday, putting Hanoi fourth on the list of the world’s most-polluted cities, according to AirVisual, which provides independent global air pollution information via a phone app.
The city has topped the list on a number of occasions this week, according to the app, a position it also held in January.
The Southeast Asian country, a regional manufacturing hub which is urbanizing rapidly, has been suffering from severe air pollution for years, especially in Hanoi.
“My eyes are itchy, and there’s always a blanket of smog that blocks my vision,” said Hanoi resident Pham Thu Giang, 30. “I have to wear a mask all the time.”
The authorities have identified transportation, industrial production, construction activities and the burning of garbage and agricultural residue as the main sources of air pollution in the city.
“Gasoline-powered motorbikes are used widely in Hanoi, making them a major source of air pollution,” Le Thanh Thuy, an official of the city’s department of agriculture and environment, told local media on Thursday.
The city will impose partial bans on gasoline-powered motorbikes in downtown areas from mid-2026 and will gradually expand the ban thereafter to fossil-fuel-powered cars.
“The current air conditions are very dangerous for the capital Hanoi,” said 75-year old resident Luong Van Toi. “I feel very tired.”
If Hanoi’s AQI is converted into actual PM2.5 concentrations, the pollution this week could be as much as 50 times the 5-microgram/cu m level recommended by the World Health Organization.
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