Ukraine claims to have shot down 8 out of 40 UAVs and missiles, equivalent to 20% of the Russian weapons fired, in today's attack.
The Ukrainian Air Force Command said that early this morning, Russia deployed 12 Kh-101/555 cruise missiles and 6 Kh-22 supersonic anti-ship missiles launched from strategic bombers, 6 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, 7 converted S-300 air defense missiles, and 3 Shahed-136/131 suicide unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) aimed at the country.
Russian fighters also launched two Kh-31P anti-radar missiles and four Kh-59 tactical missiles from the airspace over Kherson and Bryansk provinces, but the specific targets are unknown.
Ukrainian air defenses opened fire to counter Russia's attack on Kiev in late December 2022. Photo: AFP
The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on the information.
Ukrainian authorities had earlier issued a nationwide air defence alert. Kiev Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said explosions had been heard on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, stressing that air defence systems were engaged. It was not clear whether there had been any damage or casualties.
A missile strike on the northeastern province of Sumy damaged 26 structures and injured one civilian, Ukraine's prosecutor's office said.
Vyacheslav Chaus, head of the Chernihiv region in northern Ukraine, reported “damage” but declined to specify the location. In the Poltava region in central Ukraine, an unexploded missile fell into a backyard, with no casualties.
The Polish military briefly activated its air defense network on the same day, but did not detect any missiles entering its airspace.
The situation of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Graphics: WP
Ukraine recently reported that the rate of interception of Russian UAVs and missiles was much lower than during the airstrikes last year. Kiev explained that Moscow launched a large number of ballistic missiles, making it more difficult for its air defenses to intercept.
Spokesman Ignat admitted on January 9 that Ukraine is lacking air defense missiles because it "used up a large amount of reserve ammunition" to deal with a series of Russian attacks.
Vu Anh (According to AFP, Reuters )
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