Ukraine claims to have thwarted Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv

By Aliia Raimbekova

KYIV, Ukraine (AA) – Ukraine claimed on Saturday that its air defense system had foiled a Russian ballistic missile attack on the capital Kyiv.

Russia launched a ballistic missile against Ukraine after a 52-day break.

The Russian army launched an "Iskander" type ballistic missile toward Kyiv around 8 a.m. local time (0600GMT), said Serhiy Popko, the head of the Kyiv military administration, on social media.

The missile was destroyed by the air defense system near Kyiv, Popko said, adding that there was no destruction or loss of life according to the preliminary information.

He added that Russia also carried out overnight a drone attack on Kyiv.

Oleg Kiper, the head of the military administration of the southwestern Odesa region, said Russia attacked the region overnight with missiles and "Shahed" drones.

Kiper noted that the missiles struck the region twice, saying, "The invaders hit a summer cooperative. Three people were injured. The port infrastructure was also hit. No one was injured there."

Four drones were also shot down by Ukrainian forces, according to him.

Russian authorities have yet to comment on the attacks.

Russian airstrikes in Ukraine, particularly in Odesa, have increased since July, following a second explosion at the Kerch Bridge that connects Russia to the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which began in Feb. 2022, has killed over 9,800 civilians and wounded more than 17,900, according to UN figures.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar