KYIV – Russia launched 57 missiles and drones towards Ukraine on March 24, including attacking Kyiv and the western Ukrainian region of Lviv, officials said, with Poland’s armed forces saying that one of Russia’s cruise missiles briefly violated Polish airspace.

Ukraine’s air force destroyed 18 out of 29 Russia-launched missiles, and 25 out of 28 attack drones, Ukraine’s air force said on the Telegram messaging app.

Several explosions rocked Kyiv early on March 24, with Ukraine air defence forces destroying about a dozen of Russia-launched missiles over the capital and its vicinity, said Mr Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, on Telegram.

He added that there was only minor damage from the attack.

Russia has been pounding Ukraine for days in attacks portrayed by Moscow as revenge for Ukrainian attacks during its recent presidential election.

“For the third pre-dawn morning this week, all of Ukraine is under an air alert and has been advised to seek shelter,” United States Ambassador Bridget Brink posted on social media platform X early on March 24.

“Russia continues to indiscriminately launch drones and missiles with no regard for millions of civilians, violating international law.”

Russia’s defence ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

One of Russia’s cruise missiles launched at western Ukraine’s region of Lviv violated Poland’s airspace, Poland’s armed forces said.

“The object entered Polish space near the town of Oserdow (Lublin Voivodeship) and stayed there for 39 seconds,” the armed forces said on social media platform X.

“During the entire flight, it was observed by military radar systems.”

The armed forces said earlier that Poland and allied aircraft were activated during the attack to ensure the safety of Poland’s airspace.

Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said on Telegram that there were no attacks on the city, but some 20 missiles and seven attack drones had been launched against the broader Lviv region, targeting “critical infrastructure”. REUTERS