Russia launches large-scale drone and missile strike on Kyiv, Kropyvnytskyi and beyond

Key points:

• Russians launched drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles
• The enemy sent Tu-95MS, Tu-160, and Mikoyan MiG-31K into the air
• Explosions were heard in Kyiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Mykolaiv, and Poltava

What weapons Russia is using

According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the start of the day in Ukraine was relatively calm. However, around 2 a.m., entire groups of Russian drones began entering the country’s airspace. They were first detected in the Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, and Donetsk regions, and their numbers later increased.

By 4 a.m. Kyiv time, an air raid alert was declared in Kyiv and across half of the country, as the enemy began launching ballistic missiles. Hostile targets were flying from the north and later from the south. Monitoring channels suggested that Zircon missiles may have been launched from Crimea.

Later, at around 4:30 a.m., the occupiers scrambled Mikoyan MiG-31K jets, which are carriers of Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles. However, there were likely no launches. Shortly afterward, an air raid alert was declared across all of Ukraine.

In addition, overnight, the enemy scrambled strategic bombers — Tu-95MS and Tu-160. According to monitoring channels, preliminarily at around 4:30 a.m. Russian forces carried out launch maneuvers. If that was indeed the case, missiles would be expected to enter Ukrainian airspace around 6 a.m.

Cities targeted by Russia

Kyiv

Kyiv was the first to come under Russian attack. Between 04:00 and 04:30 a.m., explosions were heard in the capital amid ballistic missile launches.

At the same time, enemy drones were detected in the Kyiv region.

Update as of 05:12 a.m. Kyiv time: Explosions were heard in Kyiv for the third time overnight. Russian forces again attempted a ballistic strike.

Update as of 06:14 a.m. Kyiv time. A series of explosions was heard in the capital amid a cruise missile attack on Kyiv. The Air Force reported that targets were flying directly toward the capital. At the same time, monitoring channels warned that drones were also entering along with the missiles.

Kropyvnytskyi

According to local media, at least two explosions were heard in Kropyvnytskyi at 04:16 and 04:21 a.m. It remains unclear what caused them. However, before the first explosion, the military reported a high-speed target heading toward the city, which later changed course toward Kyiv.

Update as of 05:33 a.m. Kyiv time: Explosions were heard again in Kropyvnytskyi. Monitoring channels suggest that the enemy may have carried out a ballistic strike.

Mykolaiv

Local media reported that explosions were heard in Mykolaiv at around 05:22 a.m. The exact cause remains unknown.

Poltava

In the morning, at around 05:40 a.m., sounds of explosions were heard in Poltava. At that moment, Russian cruise missiles were flying over this region.

Attack on Ukraine

The previous combined Russian attack on Ukraine took place on the night of February 17. At that time, the enemy also used drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.

The main targets were the Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk regions, as well as the city of Burshtyn in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.

In particular, in Dnipro, enterprises, administrative buildings, residential houses, and vehicles were damaged. In Odesa, an infrastructure facility, civilian buildings, a store, and a service station were hit, and a high-rise building caught fire. In Burshtyn, the occupiers attempted to strike a thermal power plant.

For more details on the consequences, read the RBC-Ukraine report.