Ukraine claims to intercept five Russian ballistic missiles; several other strike capital Kyiv

Ukraine’s Air Force has said its air defence systems intercepted five Russian ballistic missiles during a wave of overnight attacks, although several other missiles and drones penetrated defences and struck the capital, Kyiv. According to the Ukraine’s Air Force, one ballistic missile and 25 drones hit 17 locations across the country, while falling debris was also reported. In Kyiv, the attack sparked fires at two warehouses and damaged a school.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who remained in Paris after attending France’s annual Bastille Day celebrations, said Ukraine and its international partners could jointly develop a low-cost, mass-produced air defence system within the next year.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry said the strikes were aimed at military manufacturing facilities in Kyiv involved in producing long-range missiles and drones.