Ukraine Repels Russian ‘Kinzhal’ Missile Strike on Kyiv during Rush Hour

People sit at the Independence Square, as they mark the Defenders of Ukraine Day, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 1, 2024. (Reuters)
People sit at the Independence Square, as they mark the Defenders of Ukraine Day, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 1, 2024. (Reuters)
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Ukraine Repels Russian ‘Kinzhal’ Missile Strike on Kyiv during Rush Hour

People sit at the Independence Square, as they mark the Defenders of Ukraine Day, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 1, 2024. (Reuters)
People sit at the Independence Square, as they mark the Defenders of Ukraine Day, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 1, 2024. (Reuters)

Missile debris came down in three districts of the Ukrainian capital during rush hour on Monday morning after air defenses engaged and repelled a Russian strike, city authorities said.

No major damage or casualties were reported from the attack in which Russia fired hypersonic Kinzhal missiles at Kyiv, Serhiy Popko, head of the city military administration, said, citing a preliminary assessment.

Debris damaged the roof of a multi-storey residential building in the Solomianskyi district in the city's west and one piece of debris came down on the territory of a school, Popko's administration said.

Missile debris also fell onto an open area in the central Shevchenkivskyi district and damaged the roof of a car in the southern Kyiv district of Holosiivskyi.

Russia has staged long-range missile strikes on Ukraine throughout the war it launched in February 2022. Drone attacks have become regular, almost nightly occurrences.

Russia conducted an overnight drone attack on the area surrounding the capital, city authorities said. Around 15 drones were used in the assault, they added.



Kremlin Says Russia Will Appoint a New Ambassador to the United States

Tourists walk on the Red Square outside the Kremlin during World Tourism Day in Moscow, Russia, 27 September 2024. (EPA)
Tourists walk on the Red Square outside the Kremlin during World Tourism Day in Moscow, Russia, 27 September 2024. (EPA)
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Kremlin Says Russia Will Appoint a New Ambassador to the United States

Tourists walk on the Red Square outside the Kremlin during World Tourism Day in Moscow, Russia, 27 September 2024. (EPA)
Tourists walk on the Red Square outside the Kremlin during World Tourism Day in Moscow, Russia, 27 September 2024. (EPA)

The Kremlin said on Monday that a new Russian ambassador to the United States would be appointed, dismissing speculation that relations with Washington were being downgraded at the end of the term of the current envoy Anatoly Antonov.

The Siberian-born Antonov, 69, a career diplomat, had been head of the Russian embassy in Washington since 2017. He said in July that his assignment was coming to an end.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin was not currently scheduled to receive Antonov, but added that an ambassador had the opportunity to report to the president daily.

Asked if the return of Antonov indicated that relations with Washington were being downgraded, Peskov said: "No, of course an ambassador will be appointed in a timely manner."

The current confrontation between Russia and the West over Ukraine is unparalleled in history and a mistake could lead to catastrophe, a senior Russian diplomat said on Thursday when asked about comparisons to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

The 2-1/2-year-old Ukraine war, the biggest land war in Europe since World War Two, has triggered a major confrontation between Russia and the West, and Russian officials say it is now entering its most dangerous phase to date.