Six air targets spotted over Kyiv, most shot down by air defense

The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that during the air raid alert, six Russian air targets were detected in the capital, most of which were shot down by the Ukrainian Air Defense Forces. 

“According to the information that is being clarified, these were balloons that are moved by wind and air currents. These objects could have been carrying angular reflectors and certain reconnaissance equipment. All of them were targeted by air defense systems. Most of them were shot down. The purpose of launching the balloons may have been to detect and deplete our air defense,” the press service said.

The final information on the type, characteristics and equipment of the downed objects will be reported after the study and analysis of their remains.

As of 3:01 pm, Kyiv was on alert: the city's military administration reported that the defenders had detected an enemy air target in the sky over the capital:

“An enemy air target has been detected in the skies over Kyiv. Air defense and aviation may be operating in this regard. Stay calm and go to the shelters!”

The spokesman for the Air Force Command, Yuriy Ihnat, said that the air raid alert in the Kyiv region on the afternoon of February 15 was due to the launch of angle-reflector bullets by the Russian Federation, which Russia uses to distract and exhaust the Ukrainian Air Defense Forces.

Earlier, Yuriy Ihnat commented on the appearance of these drones in Ukrainian airspace: “These balloons can be of different sizes, but sufficient to raise an angular reflector. The enemy uses such flying objects for reconnaissance or to confuse air defense systems.”

The Kyiv Regional Military Administration had earlier reported on the air defense operation.

“Air targets were detected in the sky of the Kyiv region. In this regard, air defense is operating,” the press service said.

Thus, residents of the region were urged to remain calm and stay in shelters.

At 1:28 pm, an air raid alert was announced in the Kyiv region.

• On the morning of February 15, enemy troops attacked the Mykolaiv region, including the Ochakiv community.

• On the morning of February 15, Russian troops again shelled Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region, causing fires.

• On February 15, the Russian army struck a high-rise building in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region: at least 12 people were reported injured, and two more were trapped in the rubble.