Ukraine says it downed Russian cruise missiles aimed at Kyiv

Ukrainian officials reported that 15 Russian cruise missiles were downed by air defenses overnight in an attack against the country’s capital, Kyiv. The missiles were believed to have been launched from four bombers flying from the Caspian Sea region. There were no casualties from the attack, which occurred hours before Russia’s Victory Day celebration, a holiday commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. 

Ukrainian officials accused Russian forces of attempting “to kill as many civilians as possible on this day” and said that it was the latest in a string of attacks. On Sunday, Ukraine claimed that Russia had launched its largest drone attack of the war yet, killing at least one person and injuring five. 

Tensions remain high as Moscow prepares for the Victory Day military parade, with a series of explosions, drone attacks, and sabotage occurring across Russia over the past week, including an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin. Moscow has blamed Ukrainian drones, while Kyiv denies any involvement.