Russia launches large-scale air strikes on Ukraine, and a missile enters Polish airspace

Kiev said Russia struck critical infrastructure in Ukraine’s western Lviv region with missiles early Sunday, and Warsaw reported that a Russian cruise missile briefly flew into Polish airspace in a major airstrike.

Kiev said Moscow launched 57 missiles and drones in the attack, which also targeted the capital, two days after the largest aerial bombardment of Ukraine’s energy systems since more than two years of all-out war.

“The same critical infrastructure targeted by the occupiers during the night was subject to two preliminary attacks,” Lviv region governor Maksym Kozytskyi wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

He added that the attack used “Dagger” hypersonic missiles, which are more difficult to shoot down, but did not disclose the specific facilities.

The Energy Ministry said a key energy facility in the Lviv region was attacked and equipment caught fire, causing power outages. It’s unclear whether they are talking about the same facility.

The air defense system destroyed 18 of 29 incoming missiles and 25 of 28 attack drones, the Air Force said.

There are few details on the damage, but the attacks on critical infrastructure may indicate that Russia is trying to keep pressure on energy systems after Friday’s attacks caused widespread blackouts.

Ukraine, which has been exporting electricity in recent weeks, sharply increased imports and halted exports on Sunday after an attack on its energy system, the Energy Ministry said.

Serhiy Popko, head of the Kiev Military Administration, said there were multiple explosions in Kiev in the early morning and the air defense system destroyed about a dozen missiles over the capital and its surrounding areas.

He said the attack caused only minor damage.

In the early hours of the morning, a small group of people huddled for safety underground at a metro station in central Kiev, some sleeping on camping mats.

Moscow has been launching attacks on Ukraine for days in what it says are retaliation for attacks in Ukraine during Russia’s presidential election.

Officials say the remains of a downed Kh-55 cruise missile have been found in a Kiev park.

US Ambassador Bridget Brink posted on

The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Polish airspace

The Polish Armed Forces said a Russian cruise missile launched in the Lviv region violated Polish airspace.

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Polish army spokesman Jacek Goryszewski told reporters the missile entered Polish airspace about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) before returning to Ukraine.

There was no immediate comment from Russia. Warsaw said it would demand an explanation from Moscow.

Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamyš said Warsaw would continue to support Ukraine militarily and humanitarianly.

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