Ukraine’s air defense downs over 60 cruise missiles and ten Kinzhal rockets in Russian attack on Kyiv

On January 2, during massive Russian strikes on the capital, Ukrainian air defense forces successfully downed all drones, over 60 cruise missiles, and ten ballistic rockets.

According to the Kyiv City Military Administration, an air raid alarm in Kyiv lasted for almost six hours, Rubryka reports.

Initially, the Russian forces launched about 15 Shahed drones on the Ukrainian capital. Following them, in the early morning, over 15 Tu-95MS strategic bombers launched groups and waves of Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles.

Simultaneously with the cruise missiles, more than ten MiG-31K jets launched air-ballistic missiles Kh-47M2 "Kinzhal" on Kyiv.

"The air defense successfully downed all Shahed dromes and over 60 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 missiles, and a dozen Kh-47M2 'Kinzhals.' The Air Force will provide the final type and quantity," said Chief of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Serhii Popko.

Due to this massive rocket attack on the capital, unfortunately, there is destruction of residential buildings and damage to infrastructure. There are casualties, Popko added.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klychko is at the scene in Solomianskyi district, commenting on the consequences of the Russian rocket attack.

The head of the military administration added that the outcomes are particularly severe in the Solomianskyi district.

"There are fires in multi-story residential buildings. The fire trapped people on the floors. The State Emergency Service conducted rescue operations and evacuated people. Preliminarily, over 25 casualties have been identified. These data are still being clarified," he said.

Unfortunately, an elderly woman from the Solomianskyi district, who was affected by the rocket strike, passed away in the ambulance.

Other districts were also affected:

In the Podilskyi district, there are fires in several locations.

In the Sviatoshynskyi district, there are hits on a social infrastructure building.

In the Pecherskyi district, there was a hit on the roof of a multi-story building. 

In the Obolonskyi district, a warehouse caught fire.

In Desnianskyi district, there is a fire in a supermarket building.

Night attack on Ukraine

Initially, the Air Force stated that on the night of January 2, Russian forces launched several dozen attack drones over Ukraine.

Air raid alarms sounded in Kyiv, and anti-aircraft defense forces were activated in a number of southern and central regions. Later, explosions were heard in the capital.

Overall, Russians launched 35 attack drones over Ukraine; air defense forces destroyed all targets.

By the early morning of that day, a series of explosions occurred in Kyiv, and the missile defense system was activated. Russia launched "Kinzhal" rockets and cruise missiles.

As a result of the Russian missile attack on January 2, two high-rise buildings are still on fire in the Solomianskyi district of the capital; 20 residents were rescued, and 117 were evacuated.

Rubryka photo correspondent Mykola Tymchenko is working at the scene in the capital.