File image.
A large-scale missile attack targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, early on March 21, causing material damage and casualties.
Ukrainian authorities blamed the attack on Russia. The Ukrainian Air Force said that the Russian military fired two ballistic missiles, a ground-based Iskander-M and a Kinzhal from a MiG-31K attack fighter jet, as well as 29 cruise missiles from 11 Tu-95MC bombers against the capital.
As usual, the air force claimed that all missiles were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses. Nevertheless, videos posted to social media showed blasts at different parts of Kiev, including the districts of Shevchenkivskyi, Svyatoshynkyi and Podilskyi.
Later, the Kiev City Military Administration acknowledged that 13 people were wounded during the large-scale missile attack.
The Russian Ministry of Defense is yet to announce the attack, or reveal what was targeted in Kiev. Such large strike packages usually hit high-value targets, like military industrial complexes, ammunition depots and advanced weapon systems.
The attack on Kiev came following a series of Ukrainian rocket, missile and drone attacks that targeted Russian territory, especially the regions of Belgorod and Kursk, over the last few weeks. The attacks, which were apparently an attempt to disturb the Russian presidential elections -held between March 15 and 17-, killed or wounded dozens of civilians, including women and children.
Shortly after the attack on Kiev was reported, a salvo of Czech-made RM-70 Vampire rockets fired by Ukrainian troops hit Belgorod.
Ten of the rockets were intercepted by air defenses, according to a statement released by the Russian MoD. Local officials in the region reported material losses only.
The large-scale missile attack on Kiev was likely just the beginning of the Russian military response to recent Ukrainian cross-border attacks.
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