Kyiv Missile Attack: Multiple Explosions in Capital as Russia Launches Massive Strike

Russian forces launched yet another mass missile attack against Ukraine on Thursday morning, March 21, firing missiles, including hypersonic Kinzhals, from more than 10 strategic bombers, mostly targeting Kyiv and Kyiv region.

In the capital, Kyiv Post reporters were woken by an air raid alert at around 3:30 a.m. Based in different city districts, they counted dozens of loud explosions as missiles approached the capital shortly before 5 a.m.

“Extremely loud explosions awakened me. And for the few seconds I was thinking the Russians dropped a nuke bomb on us,” Julia Struck, Kyiv Post Correspondent, wrote in a group chat.

"Kyiv - stay in shelters. Many missiles heading in your direction," the Air Force said on Telegram. 

According to preliminary reports from Mayor Vitali Klitschko, fragments of downed missiles had fallen in several districts including on residential buildings

“Debris fell on a residential building in Sviatoshynskyi district. An apartment in a residential building is on fire in the Shevchenkivskyi district. In the Podilskyi district, [missile] debris fell on the territory of another enterprise. Stay in shelters until the alarm goes off!” Kyiv mayor wrote on Telegram.

“So far, eight people have been injured. Three in the Shevchenkivsky district, one woman - in Svyatoshynsky. Doctors provided assistance to all on the spot,” Klitschko added.

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An hour later, the Kyiv mayor updated the number of injured, saying it had risen to 10. 

"The number of injured increased to ten. Two of them were hospitalized. Others were treated on the spot by doctors. In particular, six people were injured in the Shevchenko District of the capital. Four - in Svyatoshinsky," he reported on Telegram. 

As reported by the Ukrainian Air Force following the overnight attack, a total of 31 out of 31 launched missiles were intercepted and shot down.

"31 missiles were destroyed: 2 ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles. [On the early morning] of March 21, 2024, the enemy attacked with two Iskander-M ( KN-23)/x-47M2 Kinzhal ballistic/aerobic missiles and 29 x-101/x-555 cruise missiles from 11 Tu-95MS strategic bombers (launch areas: Volgodonsk, Engels, Russia)," the Air Forces wrote on Telegram.

"The missiles came from the north; the main direction of the strike was Kyiv!" they added.