Russia Uses Deadly Hypersonic Kinzhal Missile To Attack Ukrainian Region With Airbase For Allies

According to residents, multiple explosions were heard early Friday in the western Ukrainian region of Khmelnytskyi.

Russia-Ukraine War: Russia has launched multiple attacks on Ukraine using various missiles, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, as reported by news agency IANS. The modern Kinzhal missiles are tough to intercept with current defence systems due to their high speed and explosive power.

According to residents, multiple explosions were heard early Friday in the western Ukrainian region of Khmelnytskyi, IANS reported, citing Public broadcaster Suspilne.

The region houses a crucial Ukrainian airbase near the town of Starokostyantyniv, which is likely to host Western F-16 fighter jets supplied by Ukraine's allies. Mayor Vitali Klitschko noted on Telegram that explosions were also reported near the capital, Kiev.

Earlier in the night, Russia attacked Ukraine and launched a combined airstrike using cruise missiles, rockets, and combat drones. According to IANS, the Ukrainian Air Force stated that at least two Kinzhal missiles were used in the assault. Firefighters continued efforts to extinguish a fire at an industrial plant near Kyiv that had been smouldering since Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in the early hours of Friday, Ukraine carried out a major attack consisting of more than 80 drones on Russian border regions, IANS reported, citing the Russian Ministry of Defence. It stated that 70 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were intercepted over the Rostov region alone.

The governor of the Rostov region, Vasily Golubev, reported power outages in several villages.

Initial findings suggested that there were no deaths or injuries, IANS reported. In the Voronezh region, falling debris caused minor damage to an oil depot, as per the authorities. However, no injuries were reported there either.

Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February 2022 and has been waging a large-scale war against the neighbouring country ever since.

Meanwhile on Thursday, Ukraine and Japan signed a 10-year security agreement on the sidelines of the G7 summit, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, as reported by news agency Reuters. Ukraine has signed 15 other similar agreements pledging long-term support from its allies including Britain, France and Germany.