For the second consecutive week, Russia has been conducting large-scale attacks on the city of Kremenchuk in Ukraine's Poltava region. In the early hours of June 21, the city was once again hit by a combined missile and drone strike.
Shortly after midnight on June 21, Ukraine’s Air Force reported the movement of drones across several regions, including Poltava. According to local media, the first explosions in Kremenchuk were heard around 00:30.
The explosions continued through the night. By 2:00 AM, local residents had counted at least 40 blasts. Russian forces also launched various types of missiles at the city.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched a total of 272 drones and 8 missiles across Ukraine that night, including:
- 2 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles
- 4 Kalibr cruise missiles
- 2 Iskander-K cruise missiles
Ukrainian air defenses neutralized 252 drones and missiles, including:
- 140 drones shot down, 112 lost to electronic warfare
- 3 Iskander missiles (1 lost to EW)
- 1 Kinzhal (1 lost to EW)
- 1 Kalibr (1 lost to EW)
Military sources confirmed that Kremenchuk was the primary target, with confirmed impacts in the city.
Volodymyr Kohut, head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration, reported direct hits and debris falling on energy infrastructure facilities and open areas in the Kremenchuk district.
Local media reported large fires overnight, and by morning, the city was filled with the smell of smoke.
According to the State Emergency Service (SES) and the Poltava Regional Military Administration, one person sustained moderate injuries.
Vitalii Maletskyi, the mayor of Kremenchuk, reported that residential neighborhoods were also affected by the Russian attack. According to him, both private homes and apartment buildings suffered damage — primarily shattered windows — as well as several vehicles.
The police confirmed that Russian forces used munitions containing cluster elements during the nighttime bombardment.
“Following the overnight combined strike on the Kremenchuk district, remnants of cluster munitions have been found in the area. These types of weapons pose a deadly threat to human life and health,” the official statement reads.
Authorities warned that the dangerous elements resemble metal spheres about 10 cm in diameter. Because they look like toys or balls, they are especially hazardous to children.
