Russia launched its third ballistic missile attack on Kyiv this month on Sunday, with initial reports suggesting that most of the projectiles were intercepted, according to Kyiv’s military administration.
“This marks the third ballistic strike on the capital in August, each occurring exactly six days apart,” stated Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv military administration, on the Telegram messaging app. He suggested that North Korean-made ballistic missiles were likely used in the attack. However, Reuters could not independently verify the missile types.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force commander, Mykola Oleshchuk, reported that overnight, eight Russian attack drones and five out of eight missiles were successfully intercepted across the country, including in Kyiv. Oleshchuk detailed that Russia launched eight missiles on Sunday morning—three ballistic, three cruise, and two guided aircraft missiles. Ukraine managed to down five, while the remaining three failed to reach their targets.
Kyiv authorities reported no immediate casualties or damage in the capital, but Kyiv region governor Ruslan Kravchenko noted that two private homes were destroyed, and 16 others were damaged by falling debris.
The Kyiv City Military Administration also confirmed the thwarting of a Russian missile attack early on Sunday, during which air raid sirens were heard before dawn. All enemy drones heading toward Kyiv were destroyed far outside the city, with no reported casualties or damage. The administration speculated that the attack likely involved North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles.
In a related development, the United States and South Korea have accused North Korea of supplying ammunition and missiles to Russia for its war in Ukraine. Kyiv has repeatedly urged its Western allies to provide more air defense systems.
Last weekend, a 35-year-old man and his four-year-old son were killed in a Russian missile strike near Kyiv, with three others seriously injured. The attack has heightened concerns following Moscow’s promise of a “tough response” to Ukraine’s recent advances into Russian territory.
Amid the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian forces launched a significant counter-offensive into the Kursk region, forcing over 120,000 people to flee and reclaiming more than 1,100 square kilometers of Russian territory—the largest attack on Russian soil by a foreign army since World War II. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the operation is proceeding as expected, with Ukrainian forces strengthening their positions in the Kursk region.
In response, Russian air defenses shot down five Ukrainian drones in the Belgorod, Kursk, and Rostov regions on Saturday night, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
