Russia confirms strikes on defense industry in Kiev
The Russian military has carried out several long-range strikes on military-industrial targets in Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, the Defense Ministry in Moscow has said.
In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry said its forces launched a group attack using high-precision missiles and assault drones against several defense-related targets, including “aircraft, missile, armor and shipbuilding industrial facilities in Kiev.”
Russia also attacked command centers, troop deployment sites, weapon and equipment storage hubs, military airfield infrastructure, ammunition warehouses, and fuel depots, the officials added.
“The goal of the strike has been accomplished. All designated targets have been hit,” the ministry stated.
Officials in Moscow have said Russian strikes are only aimed at military-related facilities and not civilians.
Earlier in the day, Ukrainian officials stated that the strikes targeted not only Kiev but also Odessa Region, with at least 19 fires reported. They added that at least two people were killed and 13 injured. In Kiev, the local authorities said the attack damaged facilities in several districts, including non-residential buildings and a business center, which reportedly once hosted a British visa center. Other reports claim that in the latter case, the attack hit the Artyom plant which produces military equipment.
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has called the barrage “one of the largest strikes” on the Ukrainian capital, claiming that it involved 315 drones and seven missiles. He also criticized the US for what he called a reluctance to put pressure on Russia and urged Washington to take “concrete actions.”
The attack comes after Kiev ramped up drone strikes into Russia, with Moscow accusing Ukraine of attempting “terrorist” attacks on the country’s railway infrastructure which led to civilian fatalities. Moscow has also accused Kiev of targeting airbases that host nuclear-capable bombers.
