Russia said on Sunday it launched a large-scale strike against military and defence-industrial targets in Ukraine following what it described as Kiev’s attacks on civilian facilities inside Russian territory.
The Defence Ministry said in a statement the strike involved Oreshnik ballistic missiles, Iskander aeroballistic missiles, Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, Zircon cruise missiles, air-, sea- and ground-launched cruise missiles, as well as attack drones.
According to the ministry, the strikes targeted Ukrainian military command facilities, air bases and defence industry enterprises.
“The objectives of the strike were achieved. All designated targets were hit,” the ministry said in a statement.
The attack came after Moscow said Ukraine struck this week a college building and dormitory in the city of Starobilsk in the Russia-controlled part of the Luhansk Region. Regional authorities said the death toll from the attack rose to 21 after search and rescue operations were completed on Sunday.
In a separate statement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said more than 50 foreign journalists from 19 countries travelled to Starobilsk following the attack.
She added that the BBC refused to participate in the trip, while representatives of CNN said they were “on leave” and could not join.
