Russian missiles strike central Ukraine targets, Ukraine air force says

People taker shelter inside a metro station during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 14, 2023. REUTERS/Vladyslav Musiienko

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's Air Force said Russian MiG-31K fighter jets carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles struck targets in central Ukraine just 10 minutes after their takeoff from Savasleyka airbase sparked a national alert on Thursday.

The Air Force said it shot down one Kinzhal missile over Kyiv region, while another two hit Starokostiantyniv district, location of an air base in Khmelnytskyi region west of Kyiv that has been repeatedly attacked during the 21-month-old war.