Explosions rang out in central kyiv on Monday morning during rush hour as the Ukrainian military warned of a massive Russian missile and drone attack, following waves of drone attacks in the early hours of the morning.
The Air Force told Ukrainians that Russia had 11 TU-95 strategic bombers in the air and confirmed the launch of a number of missiles.
Outside the Ukrainian capital, Reuters journalists heard the sound of air defenses launching attacks on their targets.
Local authorities reported explosions in the northwestern city of Lutsk and said an apartment building was damaged and they were checking for possible casualties.
The Polish Armed Forces’ operational command said on X that Polish and allied aircraft were activated after Russia launched the attack, which also targeted areas in western Ukraine and near the Polish border.
Ukrainians have been expecting a major Russian missile attack for some time.
The U.S. Embassy issued a warning last week about a high risk of attack ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day, which is celebrated on Saturday.
Ukraine itself has stepped up its long-range drone attacks against Russia in an attempt to retaliate against Moscow, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“The desire to destroy our energy will cost the Russians dearly: their infrastructure,” Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, said on Telegram, apparently promising retaliation.
Russia launched two waves of drone attacks earlier on Monday, the Ukrainian military said, with initial reports of no damage or casualties.
Up to 10 drones were destroyed as they approached the city in the region around kyiv at around 0230 GMT, Serhiy Popko, head of kyiv’s military administration, said on the Telegram messaging app.
Russia had no immediate comment.
Russia and Ukraine both deny targeting civilians.
Each claims its attacks are aimed at destroying infrastructure essential to the other’s war effort.
