Ukrainian air defenses have intercepted 6 Russian Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles aimed at Kiev, and have also neutralized 245 of the 250 drones with which Russian forces attacked the territory of Ukraine last night, Ukrinform reported, citing a publication of the Ukrainian Air Force on Telegram.
According to the statement, the massive attack began at 8:30 p.m. local time last night. Russian forces fired a total of 14 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles from the cities of Taganrog, Eisk, Bryansk and the Crimean peninsula annexed in 2014, with strikes on the Kiev, Dnipropetrovsk, Odessa and Zaporizhia regions.
The main target of the Russian attacks was the Ukrainian capital Kiev.
Ukrainian forces responded to the attack with aviation, activated air defense and electronic warfare means, and used drones and mobile fire systems. A total of 128 drones were destroyed, the Ukrainian Air Force added.
Damage was caused in the Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Odessa, Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions.
According to the latest data, the number of injured in the capital Kyiv is 15 people.
With each such attack, the world is increasingly convinced that the reason for the extension of the war lies in Moscow, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today on the social network "Ex" after the attack on the capital Kyiv last night, which Reuters described as one of the largest since the beginning of the Russian war in Ukraine in February 2022.
"Parts of Russian missiles and drones are being cleared in Kyiv. Rescue operations are underway at the sites of the strikes and where there is damage from debris - wherever necessary. There were many fires and explosions in the city that night. Once again, residential buildings, cars, commercial establishments were damaged. Unfortunately, there are injured people," Zelensky wrote.
"This was a difficult night for all of Ukraine - 250 attack drones, the absolute majority of which are Iranian-made "Shahed", and 14 ballistic missiles. The regions of Odessa, Vinnytsia, Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kiev, Dnipro suffered. All strikes were directed against civilians. There are victims - my condolences to the families and loved ones. With each such attack, the world becomes more and more convinced that the reason for the extension of the war is in Moscow," the head of state pointed out on the social platform.
"Ukraine has repeatedly proposed a ceasefire - both full and air. Everything was ignored. It is clear that much more pressure needs to be exerted on Russia in order to achieve results and start real diplomacy. We are waiting for steps to be taken to impose sanctions by the United States, Europe and all our partners. Only new sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy will force Moscow to cease fire. I thank everyone who helps and supports us," the Ukrainian president said in "Ex".