Russian forces aimed four Kinzhal ballistic missiles at military airfields in western Ukraine in what a Ukrainian Air Force spokesman said was part of an effort to forestall training by Kyiv’s troops on Western weapons systems including F-16 fighter jets. One of the missiles was shot down over Kyiv; the others hit what were termed civilian areas in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. An eight-year-old boy was killed.
Ukraine’s foreign minister repeated a call for longer-range missile donations from allies, while President Volodymyr Zelenskiy fired all regional heads of military recruitment in what was seen as an effort to root out corruption. Ukraine’s leader also met with top officials to discuss “alternatives” on grain exports. The US followed UK and European allies in sanctioning four Russian tycoons who helped found the Alfa Group banking conglomerate.
Ukraine evacuated civilians from part of the northeast Kharkiv region as Russia tries to push through its defenses there. People near the city of Kupyansk, about 50 km (31 miles) from the Russian border should move to safety. Russian air defense jammed and downed a drone in the western part of Moscow, with no injuries or serious damage reported. Earlier, Moscow’s Vnukovo airport was temporarily closed for unspecified safety reasons.
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Markets
The Russian ruble extended its decline against the dollar and looks headed for a fourth weekly decline.
Wheat, meanwhile, headed for a weekly gain as traders weighed the risk to Black Sea flows after an escalation of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia. Futures are almost 5% higher for the week.