Countrywide air alert in Ukraine amid missile threat to Kyiv

Ukrainian rescuers work to extinguish a fire in a building following a drone attack in Kyiv on November 7, 2024. Agence France-Presse

KYIV — Ukrainian authorities issued air raid alerts covering the entire country on Wednesday, as the president’s chief of staff warned of a missile attack on the capital.

“Putin is launching a missile attack on Kyiv right now,” Andriy Yermak said on Telegram, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine’s air force warned earlier Wednesday that a missile had entered the country’s airspace and was headed for the capital city.

READ: Russia and Ukraine launch biggest drone attacks of conflict

“Attention! Missile in Chernihiv region heading for Kyiv region,” it said on Telegram.

The attack comes after a week of relentless strikes, including one on the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that killed a 32-year-old mother and her three children.

Over the weekend, Moscow and Kyiv launched record overnight drone attacks on each other.

READ: Zelensky urges allies to act before North Korean troops reach the front

Zelensky has warned that Russia has prepared a force of some 50,000 troops, including North Korean fighters, to expel Ukrainian forces from the Russian region of Kursk.