Russia launches ‘exceptional’ air attack in Kyiv with drones, missiles

Russia has launched an intense air attack on Ukraine’s Kyiv using a combination of missiles launched from the air, sea and land

Loud explosions sounded above Kyiv early on Tuesday as Russia launched an intense air attack on the capital using a combination of missiles launched from the air, sea and land.

Russia's latest attack on Kyiv was “exceptional in its density — the maximum number of attacking missiles in the shortest period of time”, said Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv military administration.

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It is the eighth time this month that Russian air raids have targeted the capital, a clear escalation after weeks of lull and ahead of a much-anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive.

It also comes as President Volodymyr Zelenksyy concludes a whirlwind European tour to greet Ukraine's key wartime allies, which spurred an additional tranche of pledged military aid.

“According to preliminary information the vast majority of enemy targets in the airspace of Kyiv were detected and destroyed,” said Mr. Popko.

Ukraine's Air Force said 18 missiles of various types were launched, including drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. All were intercepted and shot down, said Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat.