War in Ukraine: “We were suddenly awakened around 2 a.m. by the sound of explosions”, testifies the French ambassador to kyiv

“We were suddenly awakened around 2 a.m. by the sound of explosions,” Etienne de Poncins, French ambassador to Ukraine, testified on Tuesday May 30 on franceinfo as the Russian army launched a drone attack on Kiev overnight from Sunday to Monday. “I distinctly heard the sound of a lawnmower from an Iranian drone. With my team, we took shelter and we returned to our bed around 4 am”he said.

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This drone attack came after several missile launches on Sunday in broad daylight, sowing panic in the population of the Ukrainian capital: “Yesterday, we took a step since it was night and day. I think it’s also to destabilize the anti-aircraft defense by changing their method a little. The Russians change tactics very regularly”, he explained.

“The result is always in favor of Ukraine”

But the Ukrainian army’s anti-aircraft defense remains effective, according to the ambassador: “I have the impression that the result is still in favor of Ukraine. Drones and missiles are attacked and almost all are shot down“, he says.

France notably delivered Mistral very short-range anti-aircraft missiles to kyiv: “I met a Ukrainian military official who told me that he was very satisfied with the French equipment that had been delivered. We are in constant dialogue with the Ukrainians at all levels, to adapt our aid according to Ukrainian requests” he assured.

Etienne de Poncins will leave his post as ambassador after four years in Ukraine. He will keep in mind the courage of the Ukrainian people: “I am struck by the spirit of resistance of this Ukrainian nation which stands up in the face of aggression and which defends its freedom and its independence. It is a very strong feeling”he testified.