In the evening of 5 July, Russia launched two Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles targeting Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi Oblast. The missiles, launched from a MiG-31K jet, caused explosions in the region but resulted in no damage or casualties, the Oblast Military Administration confirmed later the same day.

Missiles launched amid nationwide air raid alert

Ukrainian airspace monitoring channels reported the detection of Russian MiG-31K aircraft — Russia’s only Kinzhal carrier — at around 17:30. The alert triggered air raid warnings across the country.

Minutes later, at approximately 17:35 and 17:45, Ukrainian airspace monitoring channels reported the launch of two Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missiles.

According to Khmelnytskyi Oblast Military Administration chief Serhii Tiurin’s report at about 21:00, two Russian missiles caused no injuries or infrastructure damage. In a Telegram statement, Tiurin wrote:

“Today, during the air raid alert from 17:35 to 18:14, there was a Russian attack. Fortunately, there are no consequences — no casualties or destruction.”

The official did not specify if the Kinzhals missed their targets or were shot down.

Another take-off of the MiG-31K in Russia triggered one more all-Ukraine air raid alert at around 21:40, yet there were no launches.

On the morning of the same day – overnight on 4-5 July, Russia had already launched a massive drone assault on the same region, aiming again at Starokostiantyniv. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 42 Shahed drones during that attack, as reported by national outlets.

Starokostiantyniv base remains key Russian target

The Ukrainian airfield in Starokostiantyniv, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, remains one of Russia’s persistent targets. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russian forces have repeatedly attacked the base with drones, cruise missiles, and hypersonic Kinzhals.

The apparent target of the 5 July missile attack was the Starokostiantyniv air base, known as the Kanatove Airdrome, home to Ukraine’s 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade, which operates Su-24M and Su-24MR bombers. Located in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, the base has frequently come under attack during Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. 

Kinzhal performance doubts

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile, touted by Russia as an unstoppable hypersonic weapon capable of speeds up to Mach 10, has seen repeated deployment in the Russo-Ukrainian war. First used in 2022, it was successfully intercepted for the first time in May 2023 following the deployment of MIM-104 Patriot systems. Ukrainian Patriot operators reported that the missile’s actual speed was closer to Mach 3.6 — much lower than Russian claims. Additionally, the Ukrainian military has stated that Kinzhal missiles often suffer from poor targeting accuracy, frequently missing intended targets.

In the early hours of 27 June, Russia launched a wide-scale aerial attack on Ukraine, deploying hundreds of drones and eight missiles that targeted several oblasts. Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept a significant number of the threats, though several cities still reported destruction and injuries.

According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched a total of 371 aerial weapons against Ukraine overnight, including 363 strike drones—Shahed explosive drones and decoy UAVs—two Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, and six Kalibr cruise missiles.

The Air Force says 217 of these threats were destroyed by air defense systems, including 211 Shahed drones and all six Kalibr missiles. An additional 148 drones were classified as “location lost,” likely suppressed by electronic warfare systems.

The Southern Ukraine Defense Forces reported the destruction of 22 Shahed drones overnight.

The Air Force’s data show that at least 4 Shaheds and both Kinzhals may have reached their intended targets.

Major aerial assault centered on Starokostyantyniv

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the primary focus of the Russian attack was Starokostyantyniv in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. This city is known to host a key Ukrainian air base and has been a frequent target of Russian strikes.

Suspilne noted that the attack began with reports at 01:06 of a Kinzhal missile moving toward the oblast. By 01:58, Shahed-type drones were en route. At 03:27, the Air Force confirmed a group of Shaheds near Starokostyantyniv, followed by additional drone movements at 03:35 and again at 07:17.

During two separate air alerts — from 01:00 to 05:52 and from 07:11 to 07:34 — explosions were heard across the oblast.

Zaporizhzhia hit by drones overnight

Zaporizhzhia was also attacked by at least six Russian drones. Local authorities, including Oblast Military Administration head Ivan Fedorov, reported that the assault damaged a factory and a garage cooperative, causing a fire in the city. No casualties were reported.

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: injuries and damage from FPV drone strikes

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, regional administration head Serhii Lysak reported that FPV drones targeted the Nikopol area, including the Pokrov and Marhanets communities. Four civilians were injured and received medical assistance.

Infrastructure damage included a medical outpatient clinic, an administrative building, three apartment blocks, a market, a store, vehicles, and power lines. Air defenses in the oblast managed to shoot down two missiles and five drones during the night.

In a separate update, Lysak confirmed that the death toll from the 24 June missile attack on Dnipro has risen to 21.

Poltava Oblast struck by falling drone debris

Poltava Oblast experienced damage caused by drone wreckage as air defense systems engaged Russian aerial targets. The oblast’s administration reported that drone fragments damaged vehicles and the premises of a supermarket in Kremenchuk.

Later updates confirmed damage to a healthcare facility’s building and equipment. No casualties were reported.