In Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv, the Air Force reported that Russian MiG-31K fighter jets, armed with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, attacked targets in central Ukraine just 10 minutes after taking off from the Savasleyka airbase on Thursday. This prompted a national alert.
The Air Force stated that one Kinzhal missile was intercepted over the Kyiv region, while two others hit the Starokostiantyniv district, home to an air base in Khmelnytskyi region. This air base has been the target of multiple attacks during the ongoing 21-month-long war between the two countries.
Ruslan Kravchenko, the governor of the Kyiv region, reported that there were no casualties or damage to critical infrastructure after the explosions were heard near the capital. However, a Reuters correspondent verified the sounds of the missile strikes.
The Air Force communicated via the Telegram messaging app that Russian forces launched three Kinzhals from three fighter jets located in Russia’s Tula region and that one of the missiles was shot down by their anti-aircraft missile unit in the Kyiv region. The Air Force declined to comment on the consequences of the missile hits in the Khmelnytskyi region.
Local authorities confirmed that emergency services were dispatched to the two crash sites, but no injuries or damage were reported. This includes the incidents that occurred throughout the night, when Russia launched 42 drones and 6 missiles at Ukraine, causing 11 injuries and damaging buildings and warehouses from falling debris. The Ukrainian military claims to have destroyed 41 drones.
Reporting from Tom Balmforth and Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv, along with Elaine Monaghan in Washington, this news story was written by Max Hunder, Yuliia Dysa, and Elaine Monaghan. The article was edited by Alex Richardson and Bill Berkrot.
