The Ukrainian Air Force Command reported that Russia attacked Ukraine with 4 Kh-101 cruise missiles launched from aircraft, 3 Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles, and 324 suicide and decoy drones. The main target was the city of Starokostiantyniv in the western Khmelnitsky province.
"Air defense units shot down or jammed 311 targets, including 309 UAVs and two Kh-101 cruise missiles. Two other missiles and 15 UAVs hit three areas, with debris from downed aircraft falling in several locations. The Kinzhal missiles did not reach their targets," the command stated.
Kyiv Independent reported explosions rocked the capital, Kyiv, from the evening of 27/7 into the following morning. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv military administration, said at least 8 people, including a child, were injured.
Andrii Raikovych, governor of Kirovograd, reported at least 9 explosions in the city of Kropyvnytsky.
AMK Mapping, an open-source intelligence account on X, reported about 8 Kh-101 missiles, three Kinzhals, and 12 Geran-2 suicide drones hit the Starokostiantyniv airbase. Accompanying video appears to show explosions at the airbase, possibly caused by two Kh-101 missiles carrying cluster munitions. "This appears to be the first time video has emerged of a strike on the Starokostiantyniv base and surrounding area, as previous images have often been heavily censored," AMK Mapping stated.
According to Kyiv Independent, Ukrainian officials rarely disclose the aftermath of Russian attacks on military and strategic targets, making it difficult to fully assess damage and casualties.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has not commented on the reports.
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Location of Starokostiantyniv. Graphic: RYV |
Starokostiantyniv airbase is a key Ukrainian air force facility, home to a Su-24 squadron equipped with Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missiles and a main base for F-16 fighter jets. Russia has repeatedly attacked the base since the war began, with increasing frequency since Ukraine received F-16s in 8/2024.
The Russian attack came days after the third round of talks between Moscow and Kyiv in Turkey, which ended without a ceasefire agreement.
Pham Giang (According to Reuters, Kyiv Independent, Ukrainska Pravda)
