Hours before its Victory Day celebrations, Russia launched another wave of air strikes on Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military said 23 of the 25 cruise missiles fired were destroyed. Most of them were aimed at the capital Kyiv, which came under attack for the fifth time this month.
The air raid siren went off at around 04:00, and Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv’s military administration, said about 18 “air targets” were intercepted in the airspace of the capital.
The latest strikes happened one day after Russia launched what local authorities described as the largest drone attack on the city in the war, with more than three dozen drones.
Ukraine has been successful in intercepting most Russia’s missiles and drones, and officials here say the attacks are likely to be an attempt by Russia to test and exhaust the country’s air defence systems.
This happens as the Ukrainian authorities say they are finishing their plans for a much-anticipated counter-offensive to try to take back occupied territory, armed with Nato-supplied weapons and equipment.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky moved to formalise the day that Ukraine marks the allied victory over Nazi Germany on 8 May, like Western countries.
Zelensky said 9 May would become Europe Day
Latest Stories
-
Bawumia joins thousands in Kumasi for burial prayers for Ashanti Regional Imam
3 hours -
Blue Gold Bogoso Prestea Limited challenges government actions in court
3 hours -
Verdicts due for 51 men in Pelicot mass rape trial that shook France
3 hours -
Syria not a threat to world, rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa tells BBC
3 hours -
Patrick Atangana Fouda: ‘A hero of the fight against HIV leaves us’
4 hours -
Trinity Oil MD Gabriel Kumi elected Board Chairman of Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies
4 hours -
ORAL campaign key to NDC’s election victory – North America Dema Naa
5 hours -
US Supreme Court to hear TikTok challenge to potential ban
5 hours -
Amazon faces US strike threat ahead of Christmas
5 hours -
Jaguar Land Rover electric car whistleblower sacked
5 hours -
US makes third interest rate cut despite inflation risk
5 hours -
Fish processors call for intervention against illegal trawling activities
6 hours -
Ghana will take time to recover – Akorfa Edjeani
6 hours -
Boakye Agyarko urges reforms to revitalise NPP after election defeat
7 hours -
Finance Minister skips mini-budget presentation for third time
7 hours