Russians attack Kyiv to impede work of air defense on frontline – Ukrainian major Trehubov

In an interview on Espreso TV, major Viktor Trehubov of the Ukrainian Armed Forces revealed that the Russian army is deliberately targeting residential areas in the rear to prevent Ukrainian air defense from focusing on military operations on the frontline.

"The more the air defense system protects the Kyiv agglomeration from terrorism, the fewer Russian aircraft are shot down, which drop unguided bombs over the Zaporizhzhia region. This is a normal tactic employed by terrorists. They have taken Kyiv hostage and are striking residential areas in the heart of the country to prevent the air defense system from fully concentrating on military operations in the priority directions for the Ukrainian counteroffensive," he stated.

According to Trehubov, the Russians are actively employing all terrorist tactics at present.

"I was even surprised when they converted a T-55 tank into a suicide vehicle and sent it towards Ukrainian positions with explosives everywhere. They are targeting civilians to deter military action against them," he concluded.

• On the morning of June 16, the Russian forces launched an attack on the capital city and the Kyiv region using Kalibr missiles launched from the Black Sea, as well as ballistic missiles and drones. 

• The air defense forces successfully destroyed six ballistic missiles, six Kalibrs and two unmanned aerial vehicles. The attacks resulted in damages to private houses and fires in the region, while seven individuals were also injured.