Kinzhal missile threat forces second nationwide air alert in Ukraine

Ukraine went on high alert Saturday morning following the launch of a Russian MiG-31K, which is capable of carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, triggering widespread missile threat warnings across the country.

Explosions were reported in Khmelnytskyi Oblast shortly after 9 a.m., according to local media. The head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Tyurin, confirmed a strike in Oblast but said there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The Ukrainian Air Force initially reported a missile threat to all oblasts, later specifying the detection of a high-speed target in Chernihiv Oblast and then a Kinzhal missile heading toward the city of Starokostiantyniv in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. Another high-speed aerial target was also reported in Sumy Oblast.

By 9:40 a.m., the immediate threat from the MiG-31K had passed.

The overnight hours leading into Saturday were marked by a Russian drone attack, during which Shahed drones ignited large fires in Odesa and damaged private homes in Kyiv Oblast, Ukrainian officials said.