The head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence promised retribution "very soon" after the latest wave of Russian missile and drone attacks against Kyiv and other locations.
"All those in Russia who still believed, believe or maybe dream that they can frighten Ukraine, I want to disappoint you — this is not true. Everyone has been and is still at their workplaces and continues to do their jobs," Kyrylo Budanov said in an interview Monday.
He added: "All those who tried to scare us, dreaming that it would have some effect, will regret it very soon. Our response will not be delayed. Everyone will see everything soon."
More than 70 drones and missiles have been fired by Russian forces since Sunday night, according to Ukrainian officials, who say the great majority were intercepted.
Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, said that the missile barrage Monday appears to have been largely with Iskander missiles, either in ballistic or cruise mode. Ballistic missiles travel faster and are more difficult to intercept, though the Ukrainian military insists all 11 missiles that were fired toward Kyiv in a rare daytime barrage were brought down.
Ihnat also noted on Ukrainian television that there's a possibility that S-300 and S-400 missiles were used.
"The direction of the attack was from the north," Ihnat said, without indicating whether the missiles were fired by Russian units based in southern Belarus or in Russia.
Asked whether recently received US Patriot missile batteries had been in action, Ihnat said: "I think you can guess, if Iskander-M missiles were shot down, then one can conclude what kind of means were used to hit such targets, ballistic targets."
The Kyiv city military administration, said the daytime barrage was the 16th attack on the capital since the beginning of the month. "Thus, the enemy changed its tactics — after prolonged, nighttime attacks only, it struck a peaceful city during the day, when most residents were at work and outside. In other words, the Russians are clearly demonstrating that they are aiming to destroy the civilian population," it said.