The Russians tonight again carried out several waves of air attacks in different directions. In total, they fired 30 missiles at Ukraine.
There has been a series of unprecedented in power, intensity and variety of Russian air attacks on the territory of Ukraine. In particular, on the night of May 18, the ninth air attack on Kyiv since the beginning of May was recorded.
In general, from 21:00 on May 17 to 05:30 on May 18, the Russians conducted many rocket attacks in different directions. 30 sea, air and land-based cruise missiles were launched. From strategic aviation aircraft: two Tu-160 and eight Tu-95, 22 Kh-101 and Kh-555 cruise missiles were fired. From ships in the Black Sea – 6 cruise missiles Caliber. As well as two Iskander-K cruise missiles from the ground-based operational-tactical missile system.
Air defense forces and means of the Air Force, in cooperation with other parts of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, destroyed 29 cruise missiles, and shot down two Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs and two reconnaissance UAVs (OTR). Despite the incredible work of the Ukrainian air defense system, we have hits, wounded and even dead.
The main target of shelling is Kyiv
The main target of Russian attacks has traditionally been the capital of Ukraine, said the spokesman of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yuriy Ignat. According to him, Patriot continues to work. Since Kyiv is in the zone of greatest danger, it requires high protection.
In general, all hostile targets in the capital’s airspace were detected and destroyed. At the same time, falling debris was recorded in Desnyansky and Darnitsky districts.
The greatest damage was recorded in the Darnitsa district – there was a fire on the territory of a garage cooperative. The fire has been extinguished. In other areas, there may be debris falling from parked cars, the local area or a forest. Information about the victims has not yet been received.
As for the Kyiv region, fragments of rockets also fell in people’s courtyards in some communities, many private houses were damaged: windows were broken, roof slate was damaged, two cars were damaged.
Hit somewhere else
As a result of a rocket attack tonight in the Odessa region, one civilian was killed, two others were injured. Sergey Bratchuk, a representative of the Odessa Regional Military Administration, announced this on Telegram. According to him, most of the enemy’s missiles were shot into the sea by the air defense forces.
“Unfortunately, there was a hit at an industrial facility: one person died, two were injured,” Bratchuk emphasized.
On the morning of May 18, a series of explosions rang out in the Khmelnytsky region during an air raid. The Russian army hit the Khmelnytsky region, there was a hit on an infrastructure facility, there were no casualties. Information about damage is set.
Kherson was also flooded. After the explosions, the fire started. Yury Sobolevsky, First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Council, posted several photos on Telegram showing the consequences of the shelling of Kherson.
As a result of the fall of fragments of a rocket and a drone in the Aleksandrovsky and Kropyvnytsky districts of the Kirovograd region, a large fire started, which was extinguished for several hours, and people had to evacuate.
In particular, the warhead of the rocket exploded on the territory of a private household. Three houses were damaged by the explosion. There were no casualties, said Andrey Raikovich, head of the Kirovograd Police Department.
Also, according to him, fragments of a downed drone hit one of the objects.
“Rescue units extinguished the fire within a few hours. Residents were evacuated to the surrounding courtyards. No one was killed or injured,” the OVA chief added.
In addition, explosions were reported in Kharkiv, Vinnitsa and Zhytomyr regions. Air defense forces worked there.
What is Russia looking for?
The reason for the increase in airstrikes is that Russia wants to force Ukraine to postpone the counteroffensive. Therefore, it is simultaneously attacking in different directions and simultaneously targeting control centers in Kyiv and other important objects. This was reported to CNN by a US official with knowledge of the situation. At the same time, journalists do not reveal his name.
The official believes that by attacking Ukrainian cities, Moscow hopes that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will delay a counter-offensive. Also, in this way, he wanted to confuse the Ukrainian air defense. But according to the official, the Ukrainian military was able to withstand the attacks and intercepted most of the Russian missiles and drones. In addition, such Russian activity plays into Ukraine’s hands, as it depletes its supply of ammunition.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.