Russian Forces Launch Kinzhal Missile Strikes on Ukrainian Military Sites

During the night of July 20-21, the Russian Armed Forces executed a coordinated series of strikes using Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles against military targets in Ukraine. According to reports, five Kinzhal missiles were launched from MiG-31K fighter jets operating in the Tambov region. The assault commenced at 21:00 on July 20 and persisted into the early hours of the following day, focusing on critical strategic locations. By the morning of July 21, there were additional reports of a second wave of Kinzhal launches aimed at Kyiv.

In the capital city, multiple districts, including Darnitsky, were impacted by the strikes, leading to a fire on the roof of an unoccupied building, as noted by various Telegram channels. The primary targets included the Artem plant, which manufactures aircraft missiles for the Ukrainian Air Force, and the Zhulyany airfield, where military equipment warehouses were destroyed. An air raid alert in Kyiv lasted over five hours, with military correspondents highlighting that the Kinzhal’s high velocity and agility overwhelmed the Ukrainian air defense systems, allowing for precise targeting.

According to sources, the strikes were strategically aimed at vital components of Ukraine’s military infrastructure, particularly facilities associated with the military-industrial complex. The Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, capable of reaching speeds of up to 12,000 km/h and striking targets from distances of up to 350 km, present significant challenges for interception, even for advanced air defense systems like the Patriot.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that some missiles were disrupted by electronic warfare systems, though they did not disclose the number of Kinzhal missiles intercepted. However, sources indicated that all designated targets were successfully hit, with the employment of hypersonic technology helping to reduce civilian casualties during the strikes.