Kiev says defense system repelled attack. Debris from downed projectiles causes damage in Ukrainian capital, leaving wounded. Moscow reportedly used hypersonic missiles and Iranian-made drones in the bombing.
Russia launched in the early hours of Tuesday (5/16) a new wave of air strikes on Ukrainian territory, the eighth in the month of May alone, with Kiev as the main target.
Ukrainian authorities said that their defense systems shot down several projectiles over different districts of the capital. The nighttime attack occurred in a complex manner and included drones, cruise missiles and, potentially, ballistic missiles.
“It was an attack exceptional in its density, with the maximum number of missile strikes in the shortest time,” Serhiy Popko, the head of Kiev’s military administration said in a Telegram posting. “According to preliminary information, the vast majority of enemy targets in Kiev’s airspace have been detected and destroyed,” he added.
In late April, Russia resumed its strategy of promoting long-range ballistic missile strikes, with Kiev being a frequent target. Warning sirens were also sounded throughout most of Ukraine on Tuesday.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov reported via Twitter that six Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and 12 other projectiles were shot down by Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense.
Kinzhal missiles, which although extremely fast have high maneuverability, are extolled by the Kremlin as a highly powerful weapon, and are used to destroy targets such as fuel and arms depots.
Wreckage in various parts of Kiev
Ukrainian Armed Forces commander Valerii Zaluzhnyi, reported that six Iranian-made kamikaze drones were also shot down, and said the missiles were launched from MiG 31K fighter planes and Russian warships in the Black Sea.
Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that debris from the downed missiles set fire to several cars and damaged buildings in the Solomyanskyi district in the west of the capital, which was reportedly the hardest hit, leaving three injured.
In the Darnytskyi district in the east of the city, two cars were also set on fire by the debris, which also fell on the city zoo. Klitschko assured that none of the animals were injured and were receiving “anti-stress” treatment. The mayor reminded that the site is open for visitation. “Come to relax and support the residents of the Kiev Zoo,” he invited.
The attacks came hours after Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski returned from a trip to some major European capitals, where he received assurances of reinforced military support from the governments of Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
Russia Confirms Attack
Russia confirmed the missile attacks in Ukraine, however, it said it had hit “all targets” established
“This early morning, the Armed Forces of Russia launched a concentrated attack with long-range, high-precision weapons from the air and sea on deployment points of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as on the storage sites of ammunition, weapons and military armaments delivered by Western countries,” Russian military spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.
The spokesman further assured that “all designated targets were hit.” Without providing evidence, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have destroyed an American Patriot anti-aircraft system in Kiev and to have intercepted seven British Storm Shadow missiles.