Explosions in Odesa and Kropyvnytskyi as Odesa region likely hit by Kinzhal missiles for first time
Photo: Explosions in Odesa have been reported several times over the past day (State Emergency Service)
Another explosion was heard in Odesa once again over the past 24 hours after Russian forces again deployed a MiG-31K aircraft, a carrier of Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles, as reported by the Air Force, according to Suspilne.
For Odesa, this was likely the first Kinzhal missile attack since May 2022.
High-speed targets were detected over Poltava and Mykolaiv regions, heading toward Odesa region.
Another explosion was again reported in Podilsk, Odesa region. Suspilne reported the explosion at 2:38 AM.
Explosions were also reported in Kropyvnytskyi, which occurred after a nationwide air raid alert was issued amid the takeoff of MiG-31K aircraft.
Odesa under targeted Russian forces attacks on December 12–13
Russian forces began targeting Odesa on December 12. Initial strikes hit ports in the Odesa region, including vessels in port facilities, among them a Turkish ship, prompting an immediate reaction from Türkiye’s foreign ministry.
Later on December 12, Russian forces carried out another strike on port infrastructure in the Odesa region, followed by drone attacks and explosions. The attacks then escalated further, with explosions reported in the city after missile threat warnings. Russian forces deployed MiG aircraft capable of carrying air-launched ballistic missiles and issued warnings of cruise missile threats across Ukraine, including Kalibr missiles.
In addition to Odesa, Russian forces struck Dnipro and Kropyvnytskyi on December 13, with explosions reported. The air raid alert map showed that nearly all regions of Ukraine were under threat, except parts of the western regions.
