Russia launches ‘distinctive’ air assault in Kyiv with drones, missiles

Loud explosions sounded above Kyiv early Tuesday as Russia launched an intense air assault on the capital utilizing a mixture of missiles launched from the air, sea and land.

Russia’s newest assault on Kyiv was “distinctive in its density — the utmost variety of attacking missiles within the shortest time frame,” mentioned Serhii Popko, the pinnacle of the Kyiv army administration.

It’s the eighth time this month that Russian air raids have focused the capital, a transparent escalation after weeks of lull and forward of a much-anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive.

It additionally comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky concludes a whirlwind European tour to greet Ukraine’s key wartime allies, which spurred a further tranche of pledged army help.

“In response to preliminary data the overwhelming majority of enemy targets within the airspace of Kyiv had been detected and destroyed,” mentioned Popko.

Ukraine’s Air Drive mentioned 18 missiles of assorted varieties had been launched, together with drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.

All had been intercepted and shot down, mentioned Air Drive spokesman Yurii Ihnat.

Six “Kinzhal” aero-ballistic missiles had been launched from MiG-31K plane, 9 cruise missiles from ships within the Black Sea and three land-based S-400 cruise missiles focused the capital, mentioned Ihnat in an announcement on Telegram.

After the primary onslaught, Russia additionally launched Iranian-made Shahed assault drones and performed aerial reconnaissance, Ihnat mentioned.

Particles fell throughout a number of districts within the capital.

Within the Solomyansky district, inflicting a fireplace in a non-residential constructing.

The fireplace was extinguished.

Particles set automobiles on hearth and fell on the grounds of a zoo, however no losses had been reported, mentioned Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.