Russian cruise missiles and drones strike Ukrainian cities: explosions rock Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv
Photo: Naked Science
On the morning of February 7, Russian forces launched cruise missiles and strike drones over Ukraine. The sounds of explosions were heard in major Ukrainian cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv.
Rubryka reports, citing the Ukrainian Air Force, that around 3 a.m., up to ten Tu-95 bombers took off from the Olenya airfield in the Murmansk Oblast, Russia. Monitoring public channels also mentioned the takeoff of several Tu-22M3 aircraft.
Around 5 a.m., the Ukrainian forces observed increased Russian tactical aviation activity in the northeast, raising the threat of missile launches. Subsequently, air alerts were declared in eastern and southern regions due to the threat of cruise missile launches from Tu-95MS aircraft.
The Air Force also reported the movement of strike drones across the territory of the southern Mykolaiv region in a northwest direction. At 5:56 a.m., the air alert extended to central regions, including Kyiv and its surrounding areas. The Air Force then confirmed the entry of the first group of cruise missiles into Ukrainian airspace over the northern Sumy region, heading toward Poltava.
Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, announced at 6:03 a.m. that Russians struck the northeastern city of Kharkiv. He urged residents to seek shelter. The city's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, also reported explosions. The Air Force stated that the Russian army was targeting Kharkiv with ballistic missiles.
Later, the regional administration announced that the Russians had struck Kharkiv at least four times. According to preliminary information, impacts were recorded in the Slobidskyi district of Kharkiv: non-residential infrastructure was damaged. At present, there are no casualties reported.
In Mykolaiv, explosions were also reported, according to Suspilne. Monitoring public channels reported a ballistic missile attack. There was also a drone attack on the city and the Mykolaiv region from the south.
More explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, with anti-aircraft defense forces being activated. "Cruise missiles near Kyiv, anti-aircraft defense will be operational!" the Air Force announced.
A Rubryka correspondent reported explosions in the city. Later, Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klychko confirmed the explosions, stating that the anti-aircraft defense was in operation. He urged city residents to seek shelter.
Around 8 a.m., the Air Force reported ballistic activity toward the capital from the south, with anti-aircraft defense systems activated.
Recent major Russian attack on January 23
Initially, the Air Force reported a potential launch of cruise missiles from Russian bombers threatening areas under air alert. By early morning, the first explosions were heard in Kyiv, indicating the activation of the anti-aircraft defense.
Overnight, Russians shelled Kharkiv, targeting residential and civilian areas. A series of explosions occurred in the city in the morning. The Russian shelling of Kharkiv on January 23 destroyed a residential building entrance, trapping people underneath the rubble and resulting in casualties, including children. A sanatorium school was destroyed, and a gas pipeline was damaged.
Overall, ten people were killed in the Russian strike in Kharkiv.
In the Dnipropetrovsk region, one person was killed and several injured as a result of a Russian missile attack on Pavlohrad.
