Kyiv —
Russia launched one of the largest ballistic missile attacks in its more than four-year war against Ukraine overnight Sunday, authorities said.
The Ukrainian Air Force announced that the Russian government had launched a “large-scale combined attack against Ukraine using attack drones and various air- and ground-launched missiles,” with the capital Kiev being the main target.
CNN reporters in the city reported hearing explosions throughout the night. There was a strong smell of smoke in the city on Sunday morning, and air raid warnings were still in effect.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the enemy launched “more than 40 missiles of various types, most of them towards the capital” and 120 attack drones.
Acting Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha said Russia fired “about 40” missiles along a ballistic trajectory, calling it “the largest number of ballistic missiles since the beginning of the war.”
The Air Force announced that its air defense forces “shot down or neutralized 126 targets, including 18 missiles and 108 unmanned aerial vehicles.”
Images from Kiev showed a huge crater gouged out of the ground and charred building facades.
Strikes were reported in five districts in the capital region, according to the state emergency service. One person was killed and 16 injured in the city.
“Protection against ballistic missiles is our constant and current top priority,” Zelenskiy said. “Interceptors are needed every day, and we appreciate everyone taking our agreement seriously and ensuring we deliver anti-ballistic capabilities.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
