Ukraine claims it shot down 10 missiles launched by Russia

KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine said on Friday it shot down 10 missiles launched by Russia and more than 20 drones in nighttime attacks on the capital Kiev, the city of Dnipro and regions in the country’s east.

The fire broke out after two attacks on an oil depot on the outskirts of the northeastern city of Kharkiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office said in a statement. Petroleum product pumping equipment was also damaged.

Russia has this month stepped up its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, mainly attacking logistics and infrastructure ahead of Ukraine’s possible retaliation.

The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 10 missiles fired from the Caspian Sea, 23 Iranian-made Martyr drones and two reconnaissance drones in night strikes.

A total of 17 missiles and 31 drones were fired in the attack, which began around 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Thursday and continued until 5:00 am on Friday.

Officials said several drones and several missiles hit targets in the Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

No death was reported immediately.

“The night was very difficult. It was noisy, the enemy attacked the area massively with missiles and drones,” Serhiy Lysak, the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, said on Telegram messaging.

Serhii Lysak said several homes, cars and private businesses were damaged, including a transportation company and a gas station. An employee of the gas station was injured.

Kiev officials said the roof of a shopping center, a private house and several cars were damaged.

The governor of the Kharkiv region also reported damage to several private homes and industrial facilities.

(Written by Olena Harmsch; French edition edited by Lina Golovnya, Blandine Heinault)