Kyiv under barrage of Russian missiles and drones as Ukraine activates air defenses

A series of powerful explosions were heard in the early morning hours in Kyiv, as Ukrainian air defenses were activated during an alert for a new Russian air attack.

According to Agence France-Presse, the Ukrainian air force warned that ballistic missiles were heading toward the capital.

“More ballistic missiles are heading toward Kyiv,” the Ukrainian air force announced via Telegram.

Journalists on the ground reported a combined attack using missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Ukrainian authorities continue to monitor the situation, while residents have been asked to stay in shelters during the air alert.

Kyiv has faced an intensification of Russian attacks in recent weeks, which have usually occurred at night but in some cases also during the day.

In one of the recent attacks, a woman was killed and six other people were injured after a Russian drone caused a fire at the Academy of Sciences in Kyiv, according to a preliminary toll made public by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In total, across Ukraine, nine people were killed and about 80 others were injured, according to data published by the Ukrainian president.

The latest attacks have brought back into focus Ukraine’s need to strengthen its air defenses. Last week, Zelensky again called on Western allies to provide more interceptor missiles for Patriot systems.

According to Ukrainian authorities, these systems are among the main tools available for defense against ballistic missiles.