Kyiv struck by nine ballistic missiles and drone swarms: Ukrainian Air Force
Photo: Head of the Communications Department of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yurii Ihnat (Getty Images)
Russia launched nine ballistic missiles at Kyiv during the night of May 24. In addition, swarms of enemy drones attacked the capital, reports Yurii Ihnat, head of communications for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during a telethon broadcast.
He noted that Kyiv was the main target of the enemy’s strike, with attacks coming from multiple directions.
"Regarding the ballistic missiles, the majority were aimed at Kyiv — nine Iskander-M or KN-23 missiles, two-thirds of which were intercepted by air defense. This is a rather high interception rate. We know the enemy is upgrading its ballistic capabilities, but today six out of nine missiles were shot down by air defense," Ihnat said.
According to him, enemy drones flew in large groups from different directions.
"Drones flew in large swarms from multiple directions. They approached the capital from the north, west, east, and south. That’s why the drone sounds were very loud, along with the explosions caused by the air defense system," said the Air Force spokesperson.
Strike on Kyiv
In the early hours of May 24, Russian forces carried out a combined attack on Ukraine’s capital.
In total, Russia launched 14 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and 250 drones across Ukraine. Air defense forces shot down six ballistic missiles and neutralized 245 enemy drones (128 destroyed, and 117 either jammed or lost due to electronic warfare).
Debris from enemy targets fell in six districts of Kyiv, with the heaviest damage in Solomianskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, and Obolonskyi districts. As of morning, 15 people have been reported injured.
In Obolonskyi district, a high-rise building and a shopping center were damaged. At least four locations sustained damage.
For more details on the attack’s aftermath in Kyiv, see the report by RBC-Ukraine.
