Russia launched a third ballistic missile attack on Kiev on August 18 local time, but preliminary data showed that most of the missiles were shot down, Reuters reported, citing information from the military agency of the Ukrainian capital.
"This was the third ballistic missile attack on the capital in August, with an accurate distance of six days between each attack," Serhiy Popko, head of the Kiev military agency, said on the Telegram app.
The commander of the Ukrainian air force, Mykola Oleshchuk, said he had destroyed eight Russian attack drones and five of the eight missiles launched overnight across the country, including Kiev.
Oleshchuk added that air defense fighters, anti-aircraft missile forces, mobile artillery groups and electronic warfare units shot down 13 air targets in the areas of Kiev, Sumy and Poltava.
He said Russia launched eight missiles on the morning of August 18, including three ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and two guided missiles. Ukraine shot down five of those missiles and the three of those they fired missed their targets.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage in the capital, Kiev officials said. However, Kiev Governor ruslan Kravchenko said two private houses were destroyed and 16 others were damaged by debris falling.
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 drones this week against Ukrainian villages and cities.
Reuters cannot 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, surrounding areas and most of central and northeastern Ukraine were warned of new airstrikes, warning more missiles heading towards the city.
