Russia launched its third ballistic missile attack on Kyiv this month, with Ukrainian military authorities reporting that all incoming missiles were successfully intercepted before reaching the city. The Ukrainian capital’s military administration confirmed the strike on Sunday, marking a disturbing pattern of attacks occurring every six days.
“This marks the third ballistic strike on the capital in August, with precise intervals of six days between each assault,” stated Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, via the Telegram messaging app. “Preliminary information suggests that, once again, the Russians have likely employed North Korean ballistic missiles in these attacks.”
Although Reuters was unable to independently verify the type of missiles used, Ukrainian officials remain vigilant in their assessments.
In a separate statement, Ukraine’s air force chief, Mykola Oleshchuk, announced that Ukrainian forces had successfully neutralized eight Russian attack drones and intercepted five out of eight missiles launched overnight. “As part of the anti-aircraft defense efforts, our missile troops, mobile firing units, and electronic warfare teams managed to down 13 air targets across Kyiv, Sumy, and Poltava regions,” Oleshchuk said. He confirmed that all missile strikes were thwarted, resulting in no casualties or injuries.
Oleshchuk further detailed that Russia had launched a total of three ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and two guided aircraft missiles in this latest wave of attacks.
Kyiv officials also reported no immediate casualties or significant damage in the capital. However, Ruslan Kravchenko, governor of the Kyiv region, revealed that two private homes were destroyed and 16 others sustained damage from falling debris. Reuters could not independently verify the extent of the destruction.
A Reuters witness reported hearing blasts early on Sunday, which sounded like air defense systems in action. About two hours after the initial strike, air raid alerts were issued across Kyiv, its surrounding areas, and much of central and northeastern Ukraine, warning of potential further missile threats, according to Ukraine’s air force.
