Russia launched a massive missile and drone barrage against Ukraine on Monday, striking central Kyiv and regions along the border with Poland, officials said.
Russia allegedly fired more than 100 missiles and another 100 drones across Ukraine early Monday, killing at least three people and causing blackouts after striking power infrastructure.
The Ukrainian air force said Russia had also fired 11 TU-95 strategic bombers, with the barrage causing explosions to ring out in Kyiv, as confirmed by reporters in the city.
About 10 drones were destroyed as they approached the capital, Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, said on the Telegram.
Explosions were also confirmed in the northwestern city of Lutsk, with the Operational Command of the Polish armed forces verifying attacks along the border with Ukraine.
The attack was carried out in two waves, with Ukrainian officials suggesting the attack was primarily aimed at the country’s energy infrastructure.
Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, vowed to retaliate in kind.
“The desire to destroy our energy will cost the Russians dearly: their infrastructure,” Yermak said.
Zelensky said Monday’s strike was the latest evidence that Kyiv needs its allies in the West to provide weapons to intercept the Kremlin’s aerial forces.
“This was one of the largest attacks – a combined strike, involving over a hundred missiles of various types and around a hundred “Shaheds” (drones),” Zelensky said of the attack.
“We must finally unite in our efforts to shoot down Russian missiles and drones,” he added.
Moscow did not immediately comment on the barrage.
The war in Ukraine has seen an increase in missile and drone warfare this year, with the US Embassy in Kyiv recently warning last week of an elevated risk of attack following Ukrainian Independence Day on Saturday.
During the attack in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that a total of 22 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight and into Monday morning in eight regions.
With Post wires
