Combined assault on Rivne and drone strikes in Kyiv: Early details of Russia's nighttime attack
Illustrative photo: Russian forces launched a massive attack on Ukraine on June 9 (facebook.com/DSNSKHARKIV)
On the night of Monday, June 9, Russia carried out a combined strike on the territory of Ukraine. Russian forces launched ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as attack drones.
RBC-Ukraine has compiled everything currently known about the massive Russian attack that took place overnight.
Weapons used
On the evening of Sunday, June 8, Russian forces launched Shahed-type attack drones toward Ukrainian territory from various directions. As a result, air raid alerts began to be declared in northern and eastern Ukraine.
Then, around 2:00 AM on Monday, June 9, the Air Force warned of a potential ballistic missile strike from the south and north, as well as cruise missile launches from the Black Sea.
Shortly afterward, the Air Force reported missile launches from Russia’s Bryansk region toward Chernihiv and Kyiv.
By 4:00 AM, it became known that several groups of cruise missiles had been launched. Monitoring channels reported the takeoff of Tu-95MS strategic bombers, although the Air Force did not officially confirm this. Initially, it was believed the missiles were heading toward Kyiv, but later the Air Force clarified that they were observed in the Zhytomyr region heading toward the Rivne region.
Poland scrambles military aircraft
During the night of June 9, the Polish army scrambled military aircraft in response to a Russian missile attack on Ukraine.
"Due to the intense aerial assault by the Russian Federation on Ukrainian territory, Polish and allied aircraft became active in Polish airspace in the early morning hours," the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces reported.
Poland's defense forces stated that they deployed "all available resources and means at their disposal." Specifically, ground-based air defense and radar surveillance systems were placed on high alert.
"These actions are preventive in nature and are being taken to ensure security and monitor the situation close to the borders of the Republic of Poland," the Polish military added.
Kyiv
An air raid alert was declared in Kyiv already on Sunday evening. The capital came under a massive drone attack by Russian forces, and air defense systems were active.
According to the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, an office building in the Darnytskyi district was damaged. He emphasized that emergency services had been dispatched to the scene.
"Emergency teams are working on-site. We're assessing the extent of the damage. Information is being clarified. The attack is ongoing," he said.
Rivne and region
The main target of the Russian strike overnight appeared to be Rivne and the surrounding region. Initially, the region was hit by a large-scale drone attack from several directions.
Around 3:00 AM, monitoring channels reported the takeoff of a Russian MiG-31K jet and the potential launch of Kinzhal hypersonic missiles toward Rivne. However, this information was not officially confirmed.
By 5:00 AM, repeated explosions were heard in Rivne during the launch of cruise missiles.
According to Oleksandr Koval, head of the Rivne Regional Military Administration, it was a difficult night for the region.
"A very tough night for the Rivne region. Our region came under a powerful air strike from Russian forces. Preliminary reports indicate one civilian was injured," Koval said.
Odesa
Around 2:00 AM, Russian forces launched cruise missiles toward the Odesa region. The Air Force reported the threat of a missile strike.
"Attention! Missiles heading toward Odesa from the Black Sea," the statement said.
Before that, monitoring channels warned of Kh-22 missile launches from Tu-22M3 bombers.
Sources: the Air Force, Rivne Regional Military Administration, and Kyiv City Military Administration.
