Russia Launches Ninth Wave of Missile Attacks on Kyiv in Ongoing Ukraine Conflict
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Loading... - sara harriet
- 18 May 2023
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The capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, has once again come under attack from Russia, marking the ninth missile strike this month. Despite Kyiv's authorities reporting the successful interception and destruction of all incoming missiles, debris from the air assault caused damage in two districts. Tragically, one person lost their life, and two others sustained injuries in a missile strike on the Black Sea port of Odesa. Additionally, explosions were heard in Vinnytsia, Khmelnytsky, and Zhytomyr, regions located in central-western Ukraine.
According to Ukraine's Air Force, out of the 30 missiles launched by Russia overnight, 29 were shot down. This marked a significant victory for Ukraine's defense forces. In a separate incident, rail traffic between Simferopol and the city of Sevastopol was halted due to a grain-carrying freight train derailing.
It is important to note that Simferopol is the regional capital of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. Vladimir Konstantinov, the Moscow-backed head of the regional parliament, informed Russia's state media that the derailment was caused by an explosion, and an investigation is now underway.
During the most recent attack on Kyiv, Russia employed cruise missiles and reconnaissance drones, as stated by the capital's military administration. In a statement, they described the ongoing air assaults on Kyiv as unparalleled in terms of their magnitude, intensity, and variety. Earlier this week, Ukraine claimed to have successfully shot down six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, countering an exceptionally dense attack.
Despite the tense situation, Kyiv's Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, provided assurance before the all-clear was given that a fire had broken out in a garage in the Darnytsya area but fortunately caused no injuries.
Serhiy Popko, the head of Kyiv's civilian military administration, confirmed that a severe missile attack had been launched from Russian strategic bombers over the Caspian Sea. Popko also mentioned the deployment of Russian reconnaissance drones over Kyiv following the wave of air strikes. Furthermore, a fire broke out in a non-residential building in Kyiv's eastern Desnyansky district, although no updates on injuries were provided.
Reports indicate that at least eight individuals, including a five-year-old boy near Kherson, were killed, and 17 others were injured in shelling on Wednesday. Both sides have exchanged accusations of targeting civilian areas. Nevertheless, Ukraine is steadily preparing to launch a massive offensive against Russia's invading forces.
According to Western officials, Ukraine's army is now in an increased state of readiness for a long-awaited counter-offensive.
They noted that Kyiv's military capabilities, including the deployment of tanks, fighting vehicles, combat engineers, mine clearance, bridging operations, and long-range strikes, are progressively coming together.
Although Russian troops are reportedly in a vulnerable position, officials cautioned that Moscow's defensive lines in Ukraine are potentially formidable, guarded by extensive minefields. Therefore, the success of any Ukrainian offensive should not only be measured by territorial gains but also by its ability to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to reconsider his strategy. The officials emphasized that the cognitive effect on the Kremlin was more crucial than simply breaking through Russian lines and reaching the border.
In a meeting between Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, and a Chinese diplomat in Kyiv, any peace plan involving territorial concessions to Russia was firmly rejected. However, an agreement allowing Ukraine to continue exporting millions of tonnes of grain through the Black Sea has been extended for an additional two months, one day before its expiration date.
