Several waves of missiles

Explosions in Kiev after rocket attacks

For the first time in several weeks, the Ukrainian capital Kiev has once again been the target of a major Russian missile attack.(Bild: AP)

The Ukrainian capital Kiev was attacked with several waves of missiles on Thursday night. In the morning, explosions from anti-aircraft missiles could be heard in the city center. The dreaded "Kinschal" hypersonic missiles were also used by the Russian side.

"After a break of 44 days, the enemy launched another missile attack on Kiev," explained the head of the Kiev military administration, Serhiy Popko.

Kindergarten hit by rocket debris
According to the military, the air defenses managed to intercept all 31 missiles early on Thursday morning, but at least ten people were injured, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Rocket debris damaged several residential buildings and industrial facilities and also hit a kindergarten.

Rocket debris damaged several residential buildings and industrial facilities and also hit a kindergarten.(Bild: AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Almost three hours of air raids
The city was shelled from various directions. Russia had deployed strategic bombers, but some missiles had also been fired from Russian territory. There was an air alert for almost three hours.

A multi-storey building in the city center was evacuated after a fire broke out in one of the apartments. Windows were broken in houses in the surrounding area and cars caught fire.

Windows were broken in houses in the area and cars caught fire.(Bild: AP)

According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia also used "Kinschal" (Dagger) hypersonic missiles, which are difficult to intercept. The last time there was a major Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital was at the end of January.