Night missile attack on Ukraine: hits in 3 regions and air defence response

On the night of February 16, Russians attacked Ukraine with missiles. Air defense was working in different regions

The head of Ukraine's President's Office, Andriy Yermak, reported on another Russian attack: the Russian army used missiles and UAVs, hitting the north and west of Ukraine, as well as Dnipropetrovsk and Kirovohrad regions.

"The Russians have changed their tactics. They are conducting active reconnaissance, using fake targets. But the air defense system has coped with most of the enemy missiles and UAVs," he wrote.

The attack was confirmed by an air alert map and regional authorities.

On Thursday night, air raid sirens sounded first in Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, as well as in the eastern regions of Ukraine.

Shortly after that, an air alert was declared throughout Ukraine, including the western regions far from the front.

After the first alert announcement on Wednesday evening, explosions were heard in Kramatorsk and in the area of Poltava.

Poltava region

Dmytro Lunin, Poltava Regional Military Administration's head, wrote about the air defense activity: "Air defense is working in the Poltava region. Keep calm! Stay in shelters until the air raid is over!"

He also noted that the sirens were triggered by a missile threat.

Air raid alert continues! Missile danger! Stay in the shelters! We believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine!

Kirovohrad region

On the morning of February 16, Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration's head, Andriy Raykovych, informed that the Russian occupiers had hit an infrastructure facility in Kropyvnytskyi district. 

"It's been a restless night. We survived another enemy missile attack. In the morning, the enemy hit an infrastructure facility in Kropyvnytskyi district," he wrote.

According to him, there were no casualties, and operational services are working on-site.

Zaporizhzhia region

On the morning of February 16, Zaporizhzhia City Council Secretary Anatolii Kurtiev informed that the explosions heard by Zaporizhzhia residents were "the accurate work of our Air Defense Forces."

He claimed that the Russians did not hit their targets: "At the moment, all is fine in the city, no hits have been recorded."

Dnipro region

The head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council stated that there was a real threat and asked people to stay in shelters until the air raid was over.

On the morning of February 16, Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration’s head, Serhiy Lysak, reported on the consequences of the night attack: at about 3 a.m. Russians fired missiles at Pavlohrad.

It is noted that an industrial enterprise was damaged, and firefighters extinguished the fire that broke out there. Also, 7 private houses were destroyed, and another 30 were damaged.

"A 79-year-old woman was killed. Preliminary, seven people were injured. Two wounded were hospitalized - a 79-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman. Their condition is assessed as moderate," informed Colonel Lysak.

Lviv region

According to an Espreso correspondent, explosions were heard in the Lviv region, probably air defense.

The head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, Maksym Kozytskyi, urged residents to stay in shelters: "Residents of the Lviv region, there is a real threat. Please stay in shelters until the air raid is over!"

The BBC noted that according to some reports, Kalibr missiles were fired from the Black Sea.

Later, the head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration clarified that three missiles hit critical infrastructure at night: there is a crater at the attack site and a store’s wall was destroyed on a neighboring street.

In particular, he said that the electricity supply in the Lviv region does not depend on this facility.

After the alert was canceled, the head of the Lviv region, Maksym Kozytskyi, said that the enemy had hit a critical infrastructure facility in the region. The fire was quickly extinguished with no casualties.

Kyiv region

The Kyiv Regional Military Administration also informed about the threat of a missile attack throughout Ukraine.

"Stay in shelters or safe places until the air raid is over. Take care of yourself and your loved ones," the regional military administration emphasized.

The air alarm stopped at about 04:20.