Massive Russian attack: air defence activated in Dnipro, Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv and Kirovohrad regions

The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine informs about this.

“Earlier, we told you about the Kalibr missile attack in the afternoon. Now, we have updated information: instead of two, three Kalibr cruise missiles were destroyed,” according to the press service.

At 5:00 PM, the enemy launched an attack using Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea region. They fired 36 missiles from eight Tu-95MS strategic bombers.

The missiles entered Ukraine's airspace from the southeast and changed their flight direction towards the west. Our anti-aircraft defense system responded by engaging them with anti-aircraft missile units, mobile fire groups, fighter aircraft from the Air Force, and anti-aircraft defense.

Additionally, at 7:00 PM, the Russians sent MiG-31K fighters into the air and fired four Kh-47 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles towards the Khmelnytskyi region.

Our Air Defense Forces managed to destroy 33 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles and 3 Kalibr missiles.

As for the consequences of the Kh-47 Kinzhal launches, further information is still being confirmed.

Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said during the telethon that several Russian enemy missiles were shot down by Ukrainian air defence forces.

"There were MiG-31K fighters in the sky. High-speed targets were spotted - probably Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, or, possibly ballistic missiles," Ihnat said.

Air defence systems were operating in Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv and Kirovohrad regions.

"The enemy is using various types of weapons. The main thing is missiles. They were launched from the Caspian Sea. At first they came from the southeast and the temporarily occupied territories, headed for Kharkiv region, then changed course to Dnipro, and from there – to Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad region and moved towards the Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv and Odesa regions, Ternopil and Lviv regions," Ihnat elaborated.

The Air Force spokesman stressed that in the Lviv region the Russian missiles turned 180 degrees and were directed to Starokostiantyniv in Khmelnytskyi region.

"As for the air defence, it was activated in different directions, fighter jets and anti-aircraft missile units were working. There is information about the intercepted cruise missiles in the Kyiv region, in Dnipro. Combat activity was conducted in the Kharkiv region, there is also information about the downing of missiles," the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, said.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, thanked the air defense forces for every downed Russian missile in his evening address. 

"Today is a day that should end with a special gratitude to all our air defense warriors for every Russian missile shot down. The data is still being clarified, but according to preliminary reports, more than 30 missiles were shot down during today's missile attack alone - the vast majority of those used against us. There were a few hits, and some missile fragments fell. But it is very important that the audacity of this attack was destroyed. The air defense units did a great job! I am grateful to everyone who protects the Ukrainian sky," he emphasized.

Dnipropetrovsk region

The head of the Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Lysak, reported that a fire broke out as a result of the falling missile debris, which was quickly extinguished. No people were injured.

Kherson region 

The Russian army has carried out air strikes on the village of Zmiivka, local military administration said.

"Air strikes targeted a farm and a school gym," the statement said. There were no civilians among the victims.

Khmelnytskyi region

The Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration reported that explosions were heard in the region, hours after the Ukrainian Air Force had warned that Russian strategic bombers were airborne.

"Air defence is working. Stay in shelters! Take care of yourself and your loved ones," the statement said.