Russian Air Strikes Targeting Kyiv And Areas Around It

An explosion of a drone is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian  drone strike in Kyiv, Ukraine on June 20. Gleb Garanich/Reuters

Russian forces have continued to carry out air strikes targeting Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv. However, the intensity of the strikes has decreased compared to the initial phase of the invasion in late February and March. Ukrainian officials said on June 20th that Russian air strikes hit multiple targets in Kyiv and other cities overnight. 

The strikes reportedly hit an infrastructure facility in the capital and caused a fire. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Ukraine's air force said most of the Russian missiles and drones were shot down by air defenses. However, some strikes still hit their targets, causing damage and disruption.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian strikes were aimed at causing as much damage as possible. He accused Russia of trying to "deprive people of light and heat" ahead of winter. Ukrainian officials said that Russian Tu-95 bombers launched Kh-101 cruise missiles at targets in Ukraine from Russian airspace. Some of the missiles were reportedly shot down by air defenses.

The governor of Kyiv region, Oleksiy Kuleba, said that an infrastructure facility in the region's capital was hit, causing a fire. He did not specify the exact location of the strike. Humenyuk accused Russia of using "terror as a weapon" and targeting civilian infrastructure to inflict maximum damage on Ukraine. She said Russia was unable to achieve its objectives on the battlefield and was resorting to such tactics instead.

Ukrainian officials have urged civilians to prepare for possible power outages and disruptions to the supply of basic utilities due to the Russian attacks. They have also warned of the potential for more intense strikes in the coming weeks and months. The governor of Kyiv region said a fire broke out at an infrastructure facility in the region after it was hit by a Russian missile. However, he did not specify the exact location or nature of the facility that was struck.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia may intensify its missile attacks in the coming weeks. He urged civilians to prepare for possible power outages and disruptions to water and heating supplies.

On February 24th, 2022, and since then Russian forces launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As part of the invasion, Russian aircraft carried out numerous air strikes targeting Ukrainian military installations and infrastructure in major cities, including the capital Kyiv.