Russia Unleashes Nearly 40 Ballistic Missiles on Kyiv in One of the War's Heaviest Strikes

Overnight, Russia launched a massive missile strike on Kyiv, firing what the Ukrainian military says were 41 ballistic missiles, with 23 confirmed hits recorded across the country. The attack sparked fires and caused severe damage in the capital, killing one person and injuring 13 others.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called it "the largest ballistic strike since the start of the war," accusing Moscow of cowardice and of refusing to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky to end the war. However, according to the Ukrainian military, this claim doesn't quite hold up: a comparable number of missiles was already repelled by Ukraine back in early June. It appears the minister may have deliberately exaggerated the scale of the attack to bolster calls for an international response.

"We are calling for an appropriate and firm response. To stop this terror, crushing pressure must be brought to bear on Moscow. Sanctions against Russia and its isolation must not be eased. The EU's 21st sanctions package must be unblocked immediately. Agreements on the delivery of additional air defense systems must be fulfilled without delay — everyone who holds up the delivery of these vital protective systems must understand that the cost of delay is measured in human lives," Sybiha said.

Still, despite the inaccuracy regarding the record claim, the overnight attack does indeed rank among the most massive of the entire war. The strikes on Kyiv triggered multiple fires and caused significant damage to infrastructure.

On Saturday, Russian missiles also struck Odesa region, hitting residential areas and civilian infrastructure. According to Ukrainian media, several fishing cabins were destroyed, and a missile that hit an amusement park damaged six cars. Updated figures from local authorities put the death toll at two, with four more injured, including a child, in the strike on the park. Rescuers fear people may still be trapped under the rubble, and search-and-rescue operations are ongoing.

Source: novinky.cz