In a significant escalation, Russia carried out a large-scale missile attack across Ukraine on June 15, resulting in multiple casualties and widespread destruction. The assault, which primarily targeted the capital city of Kyiv, involved the use of Iskander-K missiles rather than the previously employed Kalibr cruise missiles.
According to Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for the Air Force Command of Ukraine, the attack featured a substantial number of ballistic missiles aimed at various cities, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of the assault. Ihnat noted that the attack bore similarities to previous strikes, particularly one on June 2, but was distinguished by the absence of Kalibr missiles.
“Today’s attack was reminiscent of earlier strikes on Kyiv, particularly the one on June 2,” Ihnat stated. “Instead of Kalibrs, we saw Iskander-K missiles, along with 30 Kh-101 cruise missiles and six Zircon missiles, five of which were intercepted. In total, 34 ballistic missiles were launched.”
While Ukraine’s air defense systems successfully intercepted 15 ballistic missiles and five Zircon missiles, Ihnat emphasized that the effectiveness of these defenses depends on the availability of interceptors. He pointed out that the Patriot systems are specifically designed to counter ballistic missiles.
“The interception rate was quite high, with 100% of cruise missiles neutralized,” he added. “Today, two cruise missiles were intercepted, showcasing the effectiveness of our air defense, which relies on F-16 aircraft and ground-based air defense units.”
The attack also targeted the cities of Kharkiv and Dnipro, but the majority of the missiles were directed toward Kyiv. Ihnat explained that the concentrated nature of the assault complicated interception efforts, leading to collateral damage from both direct hits and debris from intercepted missiles.
He further noted that Russian drones have been adapting their flight patterns to evade interception, often flying at lower altitudes. “These reactive drones travel at speeds of 400-500 kilometers per hour, making them difficult to intercept with conventional methods,” Ihnat said. “Massive attacks on a single city always pose significant challenges and, unfortunately, lead to severe consequences.”
In a troubling twist, Ihnat accused Russian propaganda of exploiting the aftermath of the attacks to mislead the public, claiming that Ukraine was responsible for the strikes on its own territory. He cited an incident where a drone reportedly hit the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, leading to a fire that Russian channels falsely attributed to Ukrainian forces.
“We have confirmed that an enemy drone struck the Lavra, causing a fire on the roof of the Assumption Cathedral,” he explained. “Russian media has been quick to spread misinformation, suggesting that we are attacking ourselves.”
On June 15, the missile attacks resulted in five fatalities and 35 injuries in Kyiv, including two children aged five and six. The strikes caused fires and damage across nearly all districts of the capital, with explosions also reported in Kharkiv, Dnipro, Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kropyvnytskyi.
In Kyiv, the fire at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was attributed to a drone strike. Maxim Ostapenko, director of the national reserve, confirmed that significant damage occurred to the upper structure of the cathedral. Several other buildings within the Lavra also sustained minor damage, as reported by Deputy Minister of Culture Ivan Verbytsky.
Following the attack, efforts were made to evacuate valuable religious artifacts from the Lavra, minimizing the risk to these historical items. The Lavra is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is under enhanced protection.
Additionally, the National Film Studio named after Oleksandr Dovzhenko suffered a fire that destroyed its extensive costume collection, which included approximately 100,000 costumes and three million clothing items.
In Kharkiv, Russian forces targeted the Kholodnohirskiy district, resulting in the deaths of five emergency responders during a subsequent attack while they were extinguishing fires. At least five others were injured, along with three civilians suffering blast injuries in the area.
In Dnipro, one person was injured, and a local business sustained damage due to the attack, which sparked a fire. Sumy also reported injuries to three individuals, including a child, from drone strikes.
A recent missile attack by Russia on June 15 resulted in significant casualties and damage across Ukraine, particularly in Kyiv. The use of Iskander-K missiles marked a shift in tactics, prompting concerns over air defense capabilities and the impact of Russian propaganda following the strikes.