Drones encircle Kyiv, deadly missile hits apartment building - Air Force reveals details
Photo: Yurii Ihnat, Spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force (Getty Images)
Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Kyiv overnight. Some of the threats were neutralized, but the city suffered damage, says Colonel Yurii Ihnat, Head of the Communications Department of the Air Force Command.
According to him, Russia launched around 440 strike drones, approximately 280 of which were Shahed-type drones.
They attacked the capital from different directions, including along the Dnipro River, creating threats across the entire city.
“A huge number of these Shaheds surrounded Kyiv from different sides, some flying along the Dnipro River, while others came from eastern and western directions, striking various districts of the capital,” Ihnat explained.
He also noted that 16 Kh-101 cruise missiles were launched, 15 of which were shot down, while one struck a residential building.
Additionally, two Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missiles failed to reach their targets. Russia also used Kalibr missiles in the Zaporizhzhia region, which were not intercepted.
One of the most massive strikes
Ihnat emphasized that fragments of cluster munitions were found in Kyiv, which contain many submunitions designed to inflict maximum human casualties - evidence of the terrorist nature of the attack.
"This is one of the most massive strikes on Ukraine," he said. "Kyiv has endured even worse - there were times when dozens of ballistic missiles rained down on the city. There were previous attacks with Kh-101s, Kinzhals, and possibly ballistic missiles when Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital was hit, among other horrifying moments in the history of our capital and other cities - Kharkiv, Dnipro, Sumy, and so on."
He compared the situation to attacks on Israel, where hundreds of ballistic missiles are launched simultaneously.
However, unlike small Israel, Ukraine is significantly larger in territory. Still, the enemy uses a tactic of massive but pinpointed strikes to inflict maximum damage.
Night attack on Kyiv on June 17
During the night of June 17, Kyiv suffered a massive Russian assault using Shahed drones and missiles, causing widespread destruction in residential areas.
As a result of the overnight attack, 114 people were injured in Kyiv. Three fatalities have also been confirmed.
Russia used a missile with cluster munitions against Kyiv. Fragments and bullets intended for anti-personnel use were discovered in the capital.
Additionally, after the missile strike, over a thousand homes in Kyiv lost power. Utility workers are already working to restore electricity.
More details about the overnight attack can be found in RBC-Ukraine's report.
