Explosions heard in Kyiv due to missile strike, air defense operates
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
On the morning of December 20, explosions were heard in Kyiv due to a Russian missile attack. The city's air defense forces are currently operating to counter the threat, according to the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko.
The explosions in Kyiv occurred around 7 a.m. Kyiv time. Local military forces had earlier reported detecting a fast-moving target heading toward Kyiv. Later, another target was detected following the same route.
"The air defense forces are operating in Kyiv. Stay in shelters!" stated the capital's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, in a Telegram post.
Additionally, more explosions were heard in Kyiv later.
"Another target has been detected over the Chernihiv region. The course is toward Kyiv!" reported the Air Force.
Around 7:11 a.m. Kyiv time, another powerful explosion was heard in Kyiv, followed by at least three more explosions later.
Military officials later confirmed a ballistic missile was heading toward the capital from the north.
Additionally, the air defense forces in the Kyiv region were activated due to this missile attack, as reported by the Kyiv Regional Military Administration.
What is known about the consequences
The mayor of Kyiv reported that, as a result of rocket debris falling in the Holosiivskyi district, cars are on fire.
"Emergency services are heading to the scene," added the city mayor.
Later, Klitschko mentioned that medical teams were called to the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv.
Serhiy Popko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, later confirmed that rocket debris was also found in the Dniprovskyi district of the capital, where it hit an unfinished building.
The information regarding the victims and the extent of the damage is being clarified, according to the administration.
Later, Klitschko reported that one person had been confirmed injured in the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv.
"Medics are providing assistance on-site," the mayor added.
The Kyiv City Military Administration also reported that, in the Solomianskyi district of Kyiv, there was a fire in a building due to falling rocket debris, based on preliminary data.
Klitschko also mentioned that debris fell on the roof of a building in the Dniprovskyi district of the capital. The mayor confirmed the reports of the fire in the Solomianskyi district.
In Kyiv, it was later reported that there was another victim. According to Klitschko, this occurred in the Holosiivskyi district, and the victim has already been hospitalized.
Combined air attack
Earlier, it was reported that Russian forces launched kamikaze drones at Ukraine starting in the evening. In Kyiv, two air alerts were declared due to the drone attack. Later, it became known that enemy drone debris had fallen in the Desnianskyi district.
The city authorities also stated that all enemy drones threatening Kyiv were shot down by air defense forces.
In the morning, an air alert was declared across Ukraine due to missile threats, including the takeoff of a MiG-31K aircraft in Russia.
