Russia’s mass attack on Kyiv involved bombers from Olenya, EU delegation severely damaged

“The only difference between terrorists and Russia is that the first ones take responsibility for what they have done, while Russia does not have the courage to do so and has the audacity to blame others for its crimes - individual countries and the whole world,“ president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his Telegram channel after the massive attack on Ukraine's capital.

The number of casualties is rising as rescue operations continue, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko told media on Thursday.

Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 598 drones, two Kinzhal ballistic missiles, nine Iskander ballistic missiles and 20 Kh-101 cruise missiles. Most where shot down by the Air Force, but a few hit their targets, including 35 drones, one Kinzhal, two Iskander and two Kh-101. 

The Kh-101 cruise missiles are the main weapon for the Tu-95MS bombers, three of which took off from Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula late Wednesday evening, according to the open-source community AviVector.

The bombers flew south to the Saratov region, and the missiles were launched from there. 

It is not known whether the missiles that damaged both the British Council building and the offices of the EU Delegation in Kyiv were launched by the Tu-95MS bombers. 

Head of Delegation, Katarina Mathernova, posted several photos of the damaged offices on X, and said “This is Moscow’s true answer to peace efforts” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, said Russia’s envoy in Brussels has been summoned. President of the EU Commission affirmed that Russia’s strikes on Kyiv “will only strengthen Europe’s unity and Ukraine’s defiance."