After two nights of intense drone attacks, Russian missiles have hit the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv.
All of them were reportedly shot and there were no reports of casualties.
Flaming debris from intercepted missiles fell in residential areas of central Kyiv.
Russia has carried out 16 airstrikes on the capital of Ukraine this month. The latest, however, was unusual because it happened during the day – and appeared to have been targeted in the city centre.
All other airstrikes on the capital so far in May have occurred at night and appear to have targeted critical national infrastructure and air defenses on the outskirts.
Iskander ballistic missiles were used in the latest attack, and it was possible that S-300 and S-400 missiles were also fired, Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ahnat said.
Air raid sirens were reportedly sounded in several other regions of Ukraine.
Local military commanders in Kyiv accused Russia of changing its strategy and deliberately targeting the civilian population. It certainly appears that Moscow wants to increase its pressure on Ukraine before any counterattack.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry ambassador-at-large Oleksandr Sherba told JEE News that the past few days had been very difficult for residents of Kyiv.
“Almost every night, the sky looks like another Star Wars episode, but we don’t see a lot of Russian rockets hitting their targets here in the city area. And it’s all thanks to the civilized countries, the civilized people of the world. Who gave us this air defense,” he said.
Living in the capital was anything but normal at the time, Mr Sherba said, adding that drone strikes and sleepless nights had become “part of our routine”.
On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised his country’s air defense forces after Kyiv launched the biggest drone strike since the war began.
“You are heroes,” Mr Zelensky said, after military commanders said most of the drones launched by Russia had been shot down.
In its most recent strikes, Russia – which launched its full-scale offensive in February 2022 – has been using kamikaze drones as well as a range of cruise and ballistic missiles.
Analysts say Moscow is trying to destroy and damage Ukraine’s air defenses ahead of its long-expected retaliation.
Ukraine has been planning retaliation for months. But it has sought more time to train troops and acquire military equipment from Western allies.
On Monday, in the Russian region of Belgorod, the governor said Ukrainian forces were simultaneously shelling several border settlements.
