KYIV: Loud explosions were heard in Ukranian capital Kyiv early Thursday morning, while the city’s Military Administration said that falling debris caused fire in a non-residential building.
The scope of the Russian attack against the Ukrainian capital was unclear, and there was no immediate information on casualties.
It was the ninth time in May that Russian air raids targeted the capital, a clear escalation after weeks of lull and ahead of a much-anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive using newly-supplied advanced Western weapons. The attack was carried out by the strategic bombers from the Caspian region, probably using cruise missiles, and Russia later deployed reconnaissance craft over the city.
According to initial information, all enemy targets were destroyed, according to head of the Kyiv Military Administration, Serhiy Popko in a Telegram post. Debris fell on two districts and the fire at a garage complex has been extinguished. There was no immediate information about any victims, Popko said.
Earlier this week, Ukrainian air defences, bolstered by sophisticated Western-supplied systems, thwarted a major Russian air attack on capital Kyiv, shooting down all missiles aimed at the capital, according to the officials.
According to Ukrainian air force spokesman, Yurii Ihnat, the bombardment, which hit locations across the country, included six Russian Kinzhal aero-ballistic hypersonic missiles, the most fired in a single attack in the war so far. The cruise missiles that were used Thursday were apparently X-101 and x-55 types developed during Soviet times.
The hypersonic missiles that were used Tuesday had been repeatedly touted by Russian President Putin as providing a key strategic competitive advantage and among the most advanced weapons in Russia’s arsenal. The missiles are difficult to detect and intercept because of their hypersonic speed and maneuverability.
