Russia launches ballistic missile attack on Kyiv hours after Zelenskyy warns of major strike
Russian forces conducted a ballistic missile strike against Ukraine's capital on Thursday morning, continuing their aerial campaign against Kyiv. Multiple explosions rocked the city as the attack unfolded, prompting Mayor Vitali Klitschko to urge residents to take cover, whilst the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the bombardment.
The assault occurred hours after President Zelenskyy had publicly warned of an incoming major strike. Witness reports and military observations corroborated the extent of the attack, demonstrating Russia's sustained capacity to strike the capital despite Ukrainian air defences.
- Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv early Thursday morning, hours after Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warned of an imminent major strike
- Multiple explosions were reported across the capital, with city officials directing residents to seek shelter
- Ukrainian Air Force and witnesses confirmed the scale of the bombardment
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Russia and Ukraine have been in military conflict since Russia's invasion in February 2022. Since then, Russia has conducted extensive aerial bombardment of Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, with the capital Kyiv facing repeated strikes from aircraft and missiles.
Kyiv is Ukraine's largest city and seat of government, making it a significant target for Russian military operations. Ukraine operates air defence systems designed to intercept incoming attacks, though Russia possesses long-range ballistic missiles and other weapons capable of striking the capital from considerable distances.
These attacks directly affect the city's residents, who depend on Kyiv's infrastructure for electricity, water and other essential services. The continuing bombardment is part of the broader conflict that began with Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.