Early this morning, Ukrainian forces thwarted a Russian missile attack on Kyiv, the capital’s civil administration announced, without reporting any damages or casualties.

"Early this morning, around 05:00 (local and Greek time), the enemy used ballistic weapons to launch a missile attack on Kyiv," authorities stated on Telegram.

According to the same source, it is "highly likely" that the missiles were "North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles."

Preliminary information suggests that the missiles were intercepted as they approached the Ukrainian capital, preventing them from hitting their target, according to the administration.

"Almost simultaneously," Kyiv was also targeted by Russian attack drones, which were all "destroyed" by anti-aircraft defenses outside the perimeter of Kyiv, the authorities claimed.

"No destruction was reported in Kyiv, and there is no information about casualties," the same source added.

On the other side of the frontline, Russian air defenses destroyed five drones launched overnight by Ukraine targeting the border regions of Kursk, Belgorod, and Rostov, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced today.

Two drones were shot down over Belgorod, one over Kursk, and two over Rostov, the ministry stated via Telegram.

Zelensky: Ukrainian Forces Strengthening Positions in Kursk

Thus, the Russo-Ukrainian war enters a new phase. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the Ukrainian army is reinforcing its positions within the Russian city of Kursk and has destroyed a strategically important bridge used for resupplying Russian troops.

At the same time, Moscow accused Kyiv of using Western missiles, possibly of American manufacture.

Early Sunday morning (August 18), an alarm was raised in Kyiv for a Russian missile attack, and air raid sirens sounded in several areas of central and northeastern Ukraine.