Air raid alerts sounded across much of Ukraine, including the westernmost Lviv province, early this morning.

The Kyiv Independent newspaper reported Russia launched missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks on the capital Kyiv, causing multiple explosions that shook the city center at 12:30 AM. A second wave of attacks occurred at 2:13 AM as ballistic missiles struck Kyiv, triggering three major explosions. Eight more explosions rocked the city about 10 minutes later, according to a reporter on the scene.

Ukraine's State Emergency Service (DSNS) stated that a small fire at an educational facility in Kyiv was quickly extinguished. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced that at least 16 people were injured, including two children.

The Kyiv provincial military administration reported that an auxiliary building, industrial equipment, semi-trailers, and one oto were damaged during Russia's UAV attack. Fires also erupted on private land in the Brovary district of Kyiv province, east of the capital. Homes and commercial infrastructure sustained damage in another district.

Odesa city officials announced that missile and UAV attacks injured six people. The Ukrainian-appointed military administration in Zaporizhzhia province stated Russia launched missile attacks on industrial infrastructure in Zaporizhzhia city, injuring three people and partially destroying buildings.

Ukraine's Air Force Command reported Russia used Oniks hypersonic anti-ship missiles, Iskander-M ballistic missiles, modified S-400 anti-aircraft missiles, four Kalibr naval cruise missiles, 10 Banderol hybrid UAV missiles, and 157 various UAVs in the early morning attack. The main targets were Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa provinces.

Ukraine did not disclose the number of Oniks, Iskander-M, and S-400 missiles launched by Russia. AMK Mapping, an X account specializing in open-source intelligence on the conflict, estimated Russia launched 14 Iskander-M ballistic missiles and modified S-400 rounds.

"Air defense units shot down or jammed seven Banderol hybrid UAV missiles and 124 UAVs. Missiles and UAVs struck 36 locations, and debris from shot-down targets also fell in five areas," the agency stated, implicitly acknowledging its inability to intercept the enemy's ballistic and cruise missiles.

Flight paths of Russian missiles. Graphics: X/AMK Mapping

Russia's Ministry of Defense announced on the same day that it conducted a large-scale attack targeting defense enterprises in Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa provinces.

Targets in Kyiv included a factory producing medium and long-range UAVs, the De Novo data center "specializing in processing intelligence for the Ukrainian military," and an energy facility in Brovary supplying power to military units in the region.

The Zaporizhstal steel plant and the Iskra radio-electronic company in Ukrainian-controlled Zaporizhzhia city, along with the Artsyz substation, the Dniester River bridge, and cargo ships allegedly transporting weapons anchored in Chornomorsk and Odesa ports in Odesa province, were also attacked.

Satellite data from NASA's Fire Information Resource Management System (FIRMS) showed large fires erupted at a food production workshop in Tarasivka town, Kyiv province, and at the Iskra factory in Zaporizhzhia city.

The Iskra Scientific and Production Complex specializes in manufacturing surveillance radars, including the 36D6 series for S-300 air defense systems, and several electronic warfare and reconnaissance complexes.

Damage in Odesa after a Russian attack in a photo posted on 17/9. Photo: Suspilne

Russia and Ukraine have regularly launched missile or UAV attacks against each other since the conflict began. Russia has recently intensified large-scale missile attacks on Ukrainian territory, as Ukrainian forces face dwindling modern air defense missiles, including ammunition for Patriot systems and F-16 fighter jets.

Pham Giang (Source: Kyiv Independent, TASS, AFP)