First time in 79 days: Russia launches cruise missiles from Tu-95MS bomber, all downed over Kyiv
For a while, Russian forces had been amassing missiles to launch renewed attacks on peaceful cities. The Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted all Russian missiles heading toward Kyiv on Friday, but debris damaged some city buildings.
According to the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Serhii Popko, Russian forces resumed strikes with cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic bombers. This type of attack had not been used for the past 79 days, Rubryka reports.
Popko reported that approximately ten strategic bombers launched cruise missiles of the Kh-101/555/55 type from the area of the city of Engels (Saratov Oblast, Russia).
The air alert in the capital lasted almost 2 hours, but fortunately, no Russian threat reached the city.
"All missiles heading toward Kyiv were destroyed by air defense forces before reaching the capital," the official reported.
According to him, information about casualties and damages is not available. After summarizing the data, the Air Force will release official information about the quantity and types of intercepted aerial targets.
Popko once again urged Ukrainians to follow safety measures and not ignore air raid warnings.
"We withstood numerous missile strikes last winter, and I believe that together we can overcome any other challenges!" said Popko.
Situation in Kyiv region
As reported by the head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, Ruslan Kravchenko, the Russian forces attacked the region with missiles this morning.
"The air defense forces were actively operating in the region. Hits on critical or residential infrastructure were not recorded. According to operational information, there are no casualties," he said.
As of 8:45, Kravchenko received information about damage to private houses in several communities of the region due to falling debris from downed Russian targets.
"Windows in houses are broken, and there are partial wall damages. Emergency services are already working. More detailed information about the damages will be provided later," he added.
Morning strike on December 8
A large-scale air alert was declared in Ukraine early on December 8. The Air Force warned of the launch of cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic bombers.
Explosions were heard in Kyiv and the Kyiv region. The air defense systems were reportedly working to repel the attacks. The last time Russia launched missiles from bombers was on September 21.
On Thursday, the representative of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, Andrii Yusov, did not rule out Russia resuming missile attacks. "The toughest part of winter, including temperature-wise, is still ahead," he said.
Earlier, the deputy chief of Defense Intelligence, Vadym Skibitskyi, stated that massive attacks this year could resume after the start of winter when electricity consumption reaches peak levels. "Russians are waiting for the temperature to drop below zero," Skibitskyi noted.
On Friday morning, December 8, Russian forces shelled the Pavlohrad district of the Dnipropetrovsk region with missiles. One person was killed, and four others were injured.
Night Russian attack
On Friday night, Russian forces also attacked Ukraine with Shahed drones from the area of Primorsko-Akhtarsk and with S-300 guided missiles from the Belgorod Oblast, Russia.
Several loud explosions were heard in Kharkiv early this morning. Soon after the first explosion, an air alert was announced in the region. The city mayor asked citizens to remain in bomb shelters until the alert was over and not to release footage from the incident scene.
It is reported that the Russian occupiers launched six strikes on Kharkiv, hitting the Holodnohirskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts of the city. A 36-year-old woman in Kharkiv was injured, and medical assistance was provided on-site. Another injured person, a 25-year-old man with explosive injuries, was hospitalized. His condition is satisfactory.
The air defense forces destroyed five attack drones overnight. On the night of November 25, Russia conducted one of the largest Shahed drone attacks on Ukraine.
