AMK Mapping, an X account specializing in open-source intelligence data on the Ukraine conflict, estimated today that Russia used at least 30 Iskander-M ballistic missiles and converted S-400 air defense munitions, along with 9 Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles, to attack Ukraine.
In a video recorded by Kyiv residents, two large fireballs erupted accompanied by multiple explosions, believed to be the moments Iskander-M and Zircon missiles struck their targets. Security camera footage later showed at least 11 consecutive missiles hitting Kyiv without any signs of air defense activity.
"All Russian missiles reached their targets. Ukraine's Patriot air defense systems were completely silent, with no missiles launched because the country has run out of PAC-2/3 interceptor munitions. The last time Ukraine fired a Patriot missile was during the attack on 31/7," the account stated.
According to AMK Mapping, the attack targeted sites in the capital Kyiv and its surrounding province, including warehouses, logistics centers, and the Dniprovsky industrial zone, which reportedly houses a defense enterprise.
Satellite data from NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) showed fires in several areas, including Brovary city, the Dniprovsky industrial zone in eastern Kyiv, and a warehouse belonging to the private delivery company Nova Poshta in northern Kyiv.
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Locations of fires in Brovary city, Kyiv province, on 5/8. Graphic: X/AMK Mapping |
Reporters from the AFP news agency heard multiple explosions in Kyiv early this morning, following an alert from the Ukrainian air force about a ballistic missile attack.
The Kyiv city military administration reported that the attack killed one woman and injured at least 7 people, causing fires in four districts of the capital and damaging civilian buildings and several warehouses. According to Ukrainian officials, one person died in Bucha district west of Kyiv and 21 people were injured in surrounding areas of the capital.
Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on reports of the Patriot system not firing, nor on the damage to warehouses and logistics centers.
Kyiv has recently been targeted by Russia multiple times, including an attack on the night of 31/7 and early morning of 1/8 that killed 10 people and injured over 30. President Volodymyr Zelensky then admitted that Ukraine's air defense intercepted only one of the 27 ballistic missiles launched by Russia, due to the Patriot system lacking reserve munitions.
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Flight paths of Russian missiles during the attack. Graphic: X/AMK Mapping |
Ukraine's Patriot systems are equipped with the most modern US-made PAC-3 MSE missiles, with a maximum range of 120 km for aircraft and 60 km for ballistic missiles. Ukraine has repeatedly praised Patriot's effectiveness, emphasizing it is the only weapon capable of countering Russia's Kinzhal hypersonic and Iskander-M tactical ballistic missiles.
However, Patriot's interception rate in Ukraine is declining due to missile depletion, while many batteries have also been targeted and destroyed by Russia. Moscow also continuously upgrades its Iskander-M ballistic missiles, making the Patriot system less effective than Kyiv desires.
US President Donald Trump announced in late July that he would authorize Ukraine to domestically produce Patriot interceptor missiles, but changed his mind just a few days later. "We have not agreed to that yet. We are discussing it, but transferring such technology is not easy," he said.
By Pham Giang (According to AFP, Reuters, Ukrainska Pravda)
