Ukraine war: at least 4 killed as Russia launches hypersonic missiles at Kyiv
- The attacks came hours after Vladimir Putin said an air strike on the Russian city of Belgorod that killed 24 civilians ‘will not go unpunished’
- Russia has stepped up air strikes on Ukraine over the New Year period, and on Friday conducted its largest air attack of the almost two-year-old war on Ukraine
Russia used several Kinzhal hypersonic missiles to attack the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Tuesday while at least four people were killed in total during more heavy bombardment of the country.
“My condolences to the relatives and loved ones,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram announcing the deaths.
More than 90 people were injured and more than 500 rescuers deployed.
Kyiv and the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv were mainly affected, with the Ukrainian air force saying Russia had fired a total of 99 rockets and cruise missiles of various types.
Of these, 72 missiles were intercepted, including all 10 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, the air force said. The information could not initially be independently verified.
In Kyiv, there was damage and fires in eight of the 10 city districts – mainly caused by falling missile debris. Earlier in the night, the air force said it had shot down all 35 Iranian-made Shahed combat drones that approached.