Ukraine: Russian airstrike in Kyiv – defence systems activated

Russia launched an air strike on Kyiv, with air defence systems activated to repel it, the Ukrainian capital’s mayor Vitali Klitschko announced late Saturday (8/10).

“Air defense units are working, readiness for an air strike continues,” Klitschko said via Telegram.

Journalists from Agence France-Presse and Reuters news agencies heard at least two explosions and anti-aircraft fire.

Kyiv seeks to ‘turn war’ on Russia amid Ukrainian forces’ invasion of Kursk

Earlier, the air force announced that at least two ballistic missiles were heading towards the city.

The air force said Kyiv, its region and all of eastern Ukraine – at least five regions – were put on alert.

🚨 Explosions rock Kyiv amid rising tensions
According to Reuters, explosions were reported in Kiev in the early hours of Sunday morning. @AFpost pic.twitter.com/zuIJviKeUR

— About Bilow (@BilowInfos) August 10, 2024

Ukrainian attack on Kursk

Hours earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said publicly for the first time that Ukrainian forces were fighting in Russia’s Kursk region, saying the operation was part of Kyiv’s move to restore justice after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The Ukrainian president, referring to the Ukrainian military operation for the first time, specifically suggested that Kyiv was seeking to “turn the war” inside Russia amid the as-yet undeclared invasion of Kursk by Ukrainian forces that his government began on Tuesday.

“Today, on several occasions, General Syrsky (retired Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces) reported on the front, on our actions and the transfer of the war to the territory of the aggressor (…). Ukraine is proving that it is capable of restoring justice and exerting the necessary pressure on the aggressor,” Zelensky said in his daily evening televised message.