In the early hours of June 18, Russia conducted ballistic missile strikes targeting Kyiv and Poltava, resulting in multiple explosions reported in both cities by 1:30 AM local time.
The head of the regional military administration urged residents to seek safety, stating, “The enemy is attacking the capital with ballistic missiles. Please stay in safe places until the alert is lifted.”
In Poltava, local media reported six explosions, while the Air Forces indicated missile launches in the region at 1:24 AM. The military had previously warned of a ballistic threat approaching from the north shortly before midnight, following earlier alerts regarding drone threats in several regions and missile launches in Zaporizhzhia.
This attack follows a significant missile barrage on Kyiv on June 15, during which Russia launched 60 missiles and strike drones. The assault targeted key sites, including the Uspensky Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, causing a fire.
Numerous fires were reported across Kyiv, damaging civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, some of which suffered severe destruction. Additional fires affected shops, warehouses, vehicles, and other structures.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the mass Russian strike on June 15 was not coincidental, suggesting it was timed to coincide with the birthday of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Russia's recent missile strikes on Kyiv and Poltava mark a continuation of military aggression, following a previous significant attack on June 15. The ongoing conflict has led to extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and heightened security concerns in the region.