KYIV: Russian forces launched 18 missiles early on Monday, but Ukrainian air defence workers shot down 15 of them, according to the military, as Moscow has stepped up its attacks on its neighbour.
The head of Ukraine’s armed forces, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, said on his Telegram account, “Around 2:30 am, the Russian invaders attacked Ukraine from strategic aviation planes.”
It further stated that 15 of the 18 fired missiles had been shot down, Reuters said.
In what they described as the second attack on the city in three days, Kyiv’s city officials claimed on the messaging service Telegram that all missiles aimed towards the capital had been destroyed.
The municipal government stated, “According to (preliminary information), no civilian casualties have been reported, and no residential structures or infrastructure have been damaged.”
Russia’s forces have launched a series of missile attacks on Ukraine, the second pre-dawn attack in three days.
One person died in the Kherson region, and 25 citizens – including three children – were injured in Dnipropetrovsk. Ukraine’s armed forces said the country’s air defence intercepted 15 of the 18 missiles fired.
One of the primary targets was the city of Pavlohrad near Dnipro; the Russian-installed official said resources for the Ukrainian offensive were targeted.
Vladimir Rogov said, writing on telegram with a thumbs-up gesture, missiles hit railway infrastructure and fuel depots. Nineteen high-rise apartment blocks, 25 private homes, six schools and kindergartens and five shops were damaged.
Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk army administration described it as a “tragic night and morning”. Serhiy Popko, Kyiv city army administration head, said missiles were shot down in Kyiv city airspace, too.
The latest pre-dawn missile strikes come just days after 23 citizens were killed in strikes targeting the central city of Uman. Russia said its forces were targeting Ukrainian army reserve units.
