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An apartment block in Dnipro, central Ukraine, was destroyed by a Russian Kh-22 missile, Sunday (15/1/2023). The Kh-22 is actually a carrier-killing missile. Photo/REUTERS
Described as a “carrier killer” weapon, the Kh-22 is a Soviet-era anti-ship missile that Russia continues to develop.
Mykola Lukashuk, head of the Dnipro regional council, confirmed the death toll on Telegram, describing the missile attack as “fire in hell”. He condemned the Moscow military as murderers.
The Kh-22 missile can be equipped with a nuclear warhead. “Such missiles were used to hit densely populated cities. There is no explanation or justification for this terrorist act,” Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat was quoted as saying. UKrinformMonday (16/1/2023).
Also read: Russian Missile Hits Apartments in Dnipro, 14 Killed
The Ukrainian military admits it failed to shoot down or intercept the dangerous Russian missile. Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said it lacked the advanced weaponry to intercept such weapons.
“Since the start of Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine, more than 210 missiles of this type have been launched. None of them were knocked down by air defense equipment,” he said.
In his Facebook post, Oleshchuk said that only Western anti-aircraft missile systems, such as the Patriot PAC-3, are capable of taking down the supersonic Kh-22.
It has been reported that the US has agreed to supply one battery of Patriot missile systems to Ukraine. About 100 Ukrainian soldiers have been preparing to undergo missile systems training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma.
The attack on the apartment block on the Dnipro comes in a new wave of Russian violence over the past week, targeting civilians and energy infrastructure.
The Russian attacks have hit critical infrastructure across the country, a Ukrainian energy minister had previously warned. According to him, the country will suffer difficult days ahead with broken electricity, as well as problematic water and heating supplies.
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