Russia targets central Ukraine in coordinated drone and missile assault

Ukrainian officials said the strike involved a coordinated combination of attack drones, high-speed missiles, and air-launched weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. Kropyvnytskyi, located near the Kanatove military airfield, was a primary target.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, confirmed that Russia first attacked the city with drones before launching missiles. Ukraine’s Air Force later reported the approach of a new high-speed missile toward Kropyvnytskyi, followed by additional cruise missile launches.

Public broadcaster Suspilne reported multiple explosions in Kropyvnytskyi during the attack, as well as repeated blasts in the southern city of Mykolaiv. Air Force monitoring channels also warned of Kinzhal missile launches after a Russian MiG-31K fighter jet was detected taking off.

A nationwide air raid alert was issued after the Air Force confirmed the MiG-31K launch, as the aircraft is capable of carrying hypersonic missiles. Authorities later announced the all-clear in Kyiv and surrounding regions once the immediate missile threat had passed.

The missile assault followed overnight drone attacks by Russia, during which explosions were also reported in Kropyvnytskyi. Ukrainian officials said damage assessments were underway in Zaporizhzhya and Kharkiv Oblast after earlier Shahed drone strikes, on Feb. 6.