Explosions rock Kyiv as Russia launches ballistic missiles at the capital and other regions across Ukraine
Russian forces launched a massive aerial assault targeting nine Ukrainian cities between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The attack utilized ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones, with explosions rocking the capital. The New York Times reports at least 13 people died in Kyiv as air defenses faltered. Ukraine's Air Force confirmed the interception of seven ballistic missiles, identified as either Russian Iskander-M or North Korean-built KN-23 models. The strikes followed a previous drone attack on a shopping mall that killed two people.
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- ✓ Russia launched a massive attack targeting nine Ukrainian cities between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
- ✓ Explosions occurred in Kyiv during the Russian aerial assault.
- ✓ Ukraine's Air Force shot down seven Russian Iskander-M or North Korean-built KN-23 ballistic missiles.
What changed
Russia expanded its aerial campaign to target nine cities using a mix of jet-powered drones and ballistic missiles.
Live updates
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Russian Ballistic Missiles Strike Kyiv and Eight Other Cities
Russian forces launched a massive aerial assault targeting nine Ukrainian cities between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The attack utilized ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones, with explosions rocking the capital. The New York Times reports at least 13 people died in Kyiv as air defenses faltered. Ukraine's Air Force confirmed the interception of seven ballistic missiles, identified as either Russian Iskander-M or North Korean-built KN-23 models. The strikes followed a previous drone attack on a shopping mall that killed two people.
Why it matters
The use of North Korean-built missiles indicates deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. Kyiv continues to seek advanced air defense systems to counter these ballistic threats. Italy is reportedly planning a secret aid package to provide SAMP/T NG batteries and Aster 30 missiles.
What is confirmed
- Russia launched a massive attack targeting nine Ukrainian cities between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
- Explosions occurred in Kyiv during the Russian aerial assault.
- Ukraine's Air Force shot down seven Russian Iskander-M or North Korean-built KN-23 ballistic missiles.
Still unconfirmed
- At least 13 people were killed in Kyiv due to faltering air defenses.
- Italy will supply four SAMP/T NG air defense batteries, Aster 30 missiles, and seven long-range radars to Ukraine.
What to watch next
- Confirmation of total casualty figures across all nine targeted cities
- Official verification of the Italian air defense aid package
- Evidence of further North Korean missile deployments in the conflict
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (8)
- The New York Times — Russian Missiles Kill at Least 13 in Kyiv as Air Defenses Falter
- AP News — Russian attacks on Ukraine kill 2 people a day after deadly shopping mall drone strike
- The Kyiv Independent — Explosions rock Kyiv as Russia launches ballistic missiles at the capital and other regions across Ukraine
- Reuters — Explosions heard in Ukraine's Kyiv, Reuters witness says
- Kyiv Post — Russia Launches Massive Overnight Attack on Kyiv
- www.yahoo.com — Explosions, jet-powered drones rock Kyiv as rare hours-long Russian aerial attack continues into morning
- kyivindependent.com — Italy to supply next-generation SAMP/T air defense systems, Aster 30 missiles to Ukraine in secret aid package, media reports
- apnews.com — Russia bombards 9 Ukrainian cities overnight, calling the strikes ‘massive’
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