Russia launches 25 missiles on Ukraine: officials

Russia conducted another wave of strikes on Ukraine overnight, firing a total of 25 missiles, 23 of which were shot down, including 15 on the capital Kyiv, all of which were destroyed by air defence systems, according to officials.

Photo:

PAP/ EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

The barrage began on Monday night, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Last night, the terrorist state attacked Ukraine with "Kh" cruise missiles.
In such a mad way, they tried to celebrate the May 9th. They, however, forgot that they are the aggressors of the day.
Ukrainian air defenders shot down 23 out of 25 missiles that were launched!@KpsZSU pic.twitter.com/zNCdGalr7m

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) May 9, 2023

At around 10 p.m. local time, Russian forces fired eight Kalibr cruise missiles from warships in the Black Sea, which were targeted at the eastern regions of Ukraine, The Kyiv Independent website reported, citing the Ukrainian Air Force.

All eight missiles were destroyed by Ukraine’s air defence systems, according to officials. 

At around 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Russia launched seventeen X-101/X-555 cruise missiles using strategic Tu-95 aircraft from the Caspian Sea region, The Kyiv Independent reported. 

Ukraine's air defence shot down 15 of those missiles, officials said.

Air defence destroyed 23 Russian missiles out of 25 launched on night of "sacred" 9 May https://t.co/Q8fcqvelV4

— Ukrainska Pravda in English (@pravda_eng) May 9, 2023

In all, 23 of the 25 missiles were destroyed by the Ukrainian Air Force, in cooperation with the other military units, according to the Ukrainska Pravda website.

23 out of 25 cruise missiles launched by the enemy last night were shot down including about a dozen in the Kyiv region. No damage reported yet in Kyiv except for a fire caused by falling debris. Not many citizens in the capital got much sleep.

— Ukraine Front Lines (@EuromaidanPR) May 9, 2023

Russia launched about 15 cruise missiles at Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, the second attack in as many days, but the city’s air defence systems shot all of them down, officials told reporters. 

Second attack on Kyiv in two days. 15 cruise missiles shot down. 23 out of 25 over Ukraine. Six S-300 launched on Kharkiv. The harder Russia tries the stronger is Ukrainian response. pic.twitter.com/6cAB96kxtn

— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) May 9, 2023

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said debris fell on a house in the Holosiivskyi district in the southwest of the city, but there were no casualties and not much damage, Britain’s The Guardian newspaper reported.

Popped out after the all clear to get a look at the sky. I guess one advantage of an early morning air raid is the chance to see this. Clouds parting. New day. We are still here. pic.twitter.com/afF7DSTE0T

— Dame Melinda Simmons (@MelSimmonsFCDO) May 9, 2023

Tuesday’s attacks came a day after Russia fired its biggest drone swarm yet against Ukraine, according to news outlets. 

🤡 The only tank present at russian “military parade” is ancient T-34.
One can only guess what happened to the rest of them 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/gbhmxYioTr

— Ukrainska Pravda in English (@pravda_eng) May 9, 2023

Russia’s overnight attacks on Kyiv were an attempt by Russian forces to “try to kill as many civilians as possible” on Russia's Victory Day, said Serhiy Popko, the head of the city’s military administration.

Russia’s Victory Day on May 9 is one of the country's most commemorated public holidays, marking the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, The Guardian reported.

Ukraine, Europe, and the United States commemorated victory over tyranny yesterday. Russia marks May 9 with more missiles and drones launched toward Ukrainian cities and sleeping civilians.

— Ambassador Bridget A. Brink (@USAmbKyiv) May 9, 2023

EU's von der Leyen visits Kyiv

Meanwhile, Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Union’s executive Commission, arrived in Kyiv by train on Tuesday morning, her fifth visit to the Ukrainian capital since the beginning of the war, the Politico news service reported.

Von der Leyen tweeted: “Good to be back in Kyiv. Where the values we hold dear are defended everyday.”

Good to be back in Kyiv.

Where the values we hold dear are defended everyday.

So it is such a fitting place to celebrate the day of Europe.

I welcome President @ZelenskyyUa's decision to make 9 May Europe Day also here in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/MEGOEfgyIq

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 9, 2023

She was due to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal for discussions on ammunition production, financial support, the EU’s new sanctions plans and Ukraine’s grain exports through Solidarity Lanes, according to officials.   

Tuesday is day 440 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(pm/gs)

Source: PAP, The Kyiv Independent, Ukrainska Pravda, The Guardian, Politico