Sky News security and defence editor Deborah Haynes spoke to viewers about the overnight attacks in Kyiv.
She said: “We know that three people so far have been injured from falling debris. Because even when you shoot these missiles out the sky, of course, there are big chunks of metal that come down and can really damage buildings and of course, kill and injure people.”
She also spoke of the strategic difference new weapons from the UK could make to Ukraine’s war effort, explaining: “[The UK has] sent Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine. These are missiles that are capable of hitting Russian positions deep in Ukrainian territory. Because we know that the Ukrainians have been using their multiple-launch rocket systems, which have a smaller range, to hit the Russian position.
“So, the Russians are moving their suppliers and people out of the way. But these missiles now, that the UK has given, will mean that everywhere in Ukraine is within reach of the Ukrainians. So, no Russian tank is safe.”
Emmanuel Macron Has Said France is Open to Training Ukrainian Fighter Jet Pilots in France
In a televised interview on Monday evening, the French president, who dined with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the Elysée on Sunday evening, said the training programmes could start right away, but appeared to rule out sending warplanes to Kyiv.
“We have opened the door to training pilots, and this with several other European countries who are also ready (to do so). I think discussions are underway with the Americans,” Macron told TF1 television.
“I have not talked about planes. I have talked about missiles, I have talked about training,” he added.
France will also help train Ukrainian troops from “the battalions that will be in charge of the counter-offensive… and repair vehicles and cannon”, Macron said. “France retains the same position: to help Ukraine to resist. Much is at stake right now because the success of this counter-offensive will be decisive for the ability to build lasting peace”.
After the two presidents met, they issued a joint statement saying: “In the coming weeks, France will train and equip several battalions with tens of armoured vehicles and light tanks including AMX-10RC.”
Ukraine Assessing Damage After ‘Exceptional Intensity’ of Overnight Attack on Kyiv
Ukraine was assessing the damage after Russian forces carried out a massive strike of “exceptional intensity” on Kyiv overnight, in one of the biggest attacks on the capital since last year’s invasion.
Emergency sirens woke residents at 2.30am local time and soon afterwards there were loud booms as Ukrainian air defences engaged incoming missiles. Tracer fire lit up the sky and car alarms went off. There were explosions. A further air raid warning sounded at 4am.
Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, said Kyiv’s defenders shot down 18 out of 18 Russian rockets and drones. The city had come under an intense and sweeping attack from the “north, south and east”, featuring missiles fired from air, sea and land, he said.
Air defence batteries successfully intercepted six hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, the most potent long-range weapon in the Kremlin’s arsenal. They also downed nine cruise missiles, three ballistic missiles, six kamikaze drones and three unmanned aerial vehicles, Ukraine’s military high command said.
After a sleepless night in which many locals sought refuge in bomb shelters, Kyiv’s mayor, Vitaliy Klitschko, gave an update on the damage. He said there were three victims in the Solomyan district, which was hit by falling rocket debris. Rescuers extinguished blazes after vehicles caught fire.
Monday night’s Russian strikes appear to have been a complex attempt to destroy Ukraine’s new US-made Patriot air defence systems. According to US officials, speaking to CNN, Moscow has been trying to knock out the Patriots, which arrived in the country a few weeks ago.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s government has received at least two Patriot systems, from Washington and Berlin. They have significantly enhanced Ukraine’s air defences before an expected counter-offensive, and allow Kyiv to intercept more modern Russian missiles such as the Kinzhal.
