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Kyiv struck by 'exceptionally intense' Russian airstrikes video Ukraine

Sirens sound and residents forced into bomb shelters in one of biggest attacks on capital since invasion

Tue 16 May 2023 03.38 EDT

Ukraine was assessing the damage after Russian forces carried out a massive strike of exceptional intensity on Kyiv overnight, in one of the biggest attacks on the capital since last years invasion.

Emergency sirens woke residents at 2.30am local time and soon afterwards there were loud booms as Ukrainian air defences engaged incoming missiles. Tracer fire lit up the sky and car alarms went off. There were explosions. A further air raid warning sounded at 4am.

Ukraines commander-in-chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, said Kyivs defenders shot down 18 out of 18 Russian rockets and drones. The city had come under an intense and sweeping attack from the north, south and east, featuring missiles fired from air, sea and land, he said.

Air defence batteries successfully intercepted six hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, the most potent long-range weapon in the Kremlins arsenal. They also downed nine cruise missiles, three ballistic missiles, six kamikaze drones and three unmanned aerial vehicles, Ukraines military high command said.

After a sleepless night in which many locals sought refuge in bomb shelters, Kyivs mayor, Vitaliy Klitschko, gave an update on damage. He said there were three victims in the Solomyan district, which was hit by falling rocket debris. Rescuers extinguished blazes after vehicles caught fire.

Debris also fell on the suburbs of Darnytsia and Obolibskyi, he said, as well as on Kyiv zoo. They mayor said no people or animals were hurt and posted footage on the social media channel Telegram of fallen branches. He said the zoo would reopen as usual on Tuesday morning, and urged Kyivites to visit.

Anti-stress measures are now being conducted with the animals. So come along to calm down and to support the residents of Kyiv Zoo! Klitschko wrote.

Monday nights Russian strikes appear to have been a complex attempt to destroy Ukraines new US-made Patriot air defence systems. According to US officials, speaking to CNN, Moscow has been trying to knock out the Patriots, which arrived in the country a few weeks ago.

Volodymyr Zelenskiys government has received at least two Patriot systems, from Washington and Berlin. They have significantly enhanced Ukraines air defences before an expected counter-offensive, and allow Kyiv to intercept more modern Russian missiles such as the Kinzhal.

Writing on Twitter, the UKs ambassador in Kyiv, Dame Melinda Simmons, described the full on attack as pretty intense. She had just returned to Ukraine from the UK, where she accompanied President Zelenskiy, who held talks on Monday with Rishi Sunak in Chequers.

A full on aerial attack on Kyiv last night, pretty intense. Bangs and shaking walls are not an easy night. Hope everyone is ok.

The attacks follow the supply by the government of long-range Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of more than 250km, and a British pledge to deliver long-range attack drones over the coming months. The Kremlin has described the move as extremely negative, amid evidence that Kyiv is already using Storm Shadows to hit Russian command and control centres away from the frontline.

Ukraines defence minister, Oleksii Reznikov, praised the unbelievable success of his air forces in the early hours of Tuesday. Russian terrorists have no chance of prevailing over Ukraine. Their weapons can and should be countered by western ones, he wrote.

Another unbelievable success for the Ukrainian Air Forces! Last night, our sky defenders shot down SIX russian hypersonic Kinzhal missiles and 12 other missiles.

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russian terrorists have no chance of prevailing over Ukraine. Their weapons can and should be countered by

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Ukraine: Russia targets Kyiv with massive overnight airstrike - The Guardian