Russia’s defence ministry announced on Friday that it had launched cruise missiles against a military target on the outskirts of Kyiv overnight and warned of additional strikes against the Ukrainian capital in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian sites.

The ministry also announced that Ukrainian forces had seized complete control of the Ilyich Steel Plant in the beleaguered port city of Mariupol, which has been surrounded by Russian forces for weeks.

On Friday, powerful explosions were reported in Kyiv, apparently the most significant since Russian soldiers withdrew earlier this month in preparation for fighting in the south and east.

The explosions were reported following the Russian defence ministry’s announcement that the Moskva, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet’s flagship, had sunk while being towed following severe damage.

Ukraine claimed the damage to the Moskva was caused by one of its missile attacks. Russia’s defence ministry made no mention of a fire breaking out or weapons exploding.

A person poses in front of devastated buildings during Polish President Andrzej Duda’s visit to Borodianka, Ukraine, on April 13, 2022, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues. The photograph was taken on April 13, 2022. via REUTERS: Polish Presidency/Handout

According to the defence ministry’s statement, its nocturnal missile strikes on Kyiv targeted the ‘Vizar’ facility on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, which manufactured and maintained missiles, including anti-ship missiles.

It promised additional strikes against Kyiv.

“The number and scale of missile strikes on targets in Kyiv will increase in response to any terrorist attacks or acts of sabotage on Russian territory committed by the Kyiv nationalist regime,” the ministry said in a statement.

It said its forces shot down a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter on April 14 near the town of Klimovo in the Bryansk region, as well as a Ukrainian Sukhoi-27 jet.

Additionally, it stated, that a group of up to 30 Polish mercenaries had been destroyed.

On February 24, Russia began what it refers to as a “special military operation.” Ukraine has resisted valiantly, and the West has slapped broad sanctions on Russia.

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