Ukrainians say Russia is seeking revenge as Kyiv announces more settlements have been seized in its daring cross-border assault. Kyiv, Ukraine – Russia’s aerial attack on Ukraine was colossal. Moving in waves from several directions and at different speeds and heights, 127 missiles and 109 drones attacked 15 of Ukraine’s 24 regions.
Keep reading The attack is being seen in Ukraine as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s revenge for Kyiv’s daring incursion into the western Russian region of Kursk that began in early August and has resulted in the apparent takeover of more than 1,000sq kilometres (386sq miles). “He is a vindictive person, he got offended,” General Lieutenant Ihor Romanenko, ex-deputy head of the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, told Al Jazeera. The attack began in predawn darkness on Monday as buzzing swarms of explosives-laden heavy drones took off from the Azov Sea town of Yeisk in southwestern Russia.
Then the Kinzhal (Dagger) ballistic missiles whizzed away from under the wings of MiG 31 fighter jets stationed in the western Russian town of Lipetsk. The Kinzhals can manoeuvre in-flight and speed up to a breathtaking 4km (2.5 miles) per second – half the speed a rocket needs to reach outer space.
Heavy Tu-95 bombers in the Volgograd region launched Kh-101 missiles, the type that had hit Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital in July. Despite their subsonic speed, Kh-101s are hard to intercept as they can fly only 50 metres (164 fee.