Russia launched a third ballistic missile attack on Kiev on August 18 local time, but preliminary data shows that most of the missiles were shot down - Reuters cited information from the prime minister's military agency. Ukrainian capital said.
"This was the third ballistic missile attack on the capital in August, with a gap of exactly six days between each attack," Serhiy Popko, head of Kiev's military department, informed. on the Telegram application.
The commander of the Ukrainian air force, Mykola Oleshchuk, said he destroyed eight Russian attack drones and five of eight missiles launched overnight across the country, including Kiev.
Mr. Oleshchuk added that air defense combat forces, anti-aircraft missile forces, mobile firing groups and electronic warfare units shot down 13 air targets in the Kiev, Sumy and Poltava regions.
He said Russia launched 8 missiles on the morning of August 18, including 3 ballistic missiles , 3 cruise missiles and 2 guided missiles. Ukraine shot down five of them, and the three they missed did not reach their target.
According to Kiev officials, there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage in the capital. However, Kiev Governor Ruslan Kravchenko said that two private houses were destroyed and 16 others were damaged by falling debris.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram: "Russia always knows where they are attacking with missiles and bombs, this is a deliberate and targeted action by Russia."
Mr. Zelensky noted that Russia launched more than 40 missiles, 750 guided bombs and 200 attack drones this week on Ukrainian villages and cities.
Reuters could not independently verify the scale of damage in the Kiev area. A Reuters witness heard an explosion that sounded like an air defense system on the morning of August 18.
About two hours after the initial attack, Kiev , the surrounding region and most of central and northeastern Ukraine were on alert for new airstrikes, warning more missiles were headed for the city.
