Ukraine Military Says Russia Launched Massive Airstrike on Kyiv

Ukrainian air defense. (Wikimedia Commons/Ministry of Defense of Ukraine)

JAKARTA - All of Ukraine was under a new air strike alert during rush hour on Monday morning, amid a high threat of Russian missile and drone attacks, the Ukrainian military said, following several waves of drone strikes overnight.

Ukraine's air force said it had recorded the launch of several missiles targeting the country and dozens of drones threatening the whole of Ukraine. However, as of 0500 GMT there were no reports of explosions, Reuters reported on August 26.

Russia launched two waves of drone strikes on Monday morning, the Ukrainian military said, with initial information showing no damage or casualties.

At least 10 drones were destroyed as they approached towns in the region around Kyiv at about 0230 GMT, Kyiv Military Administration Chief Serhiy Popko said on the Telegram messaging app.

Reuters witnesses heard several explosions earlier that sounded like air defense systems were being used to repel the air strikes.

Separately, there was no immediate comment from Russia on the latest airstrike claims.

Both Russia and Ukraine deny targeting civilians. Each side says its strikes are aimed at destroying infrastructure critical to the other's war effort.