An object was spotted in the airspace near Kyiv, Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA) Head Serhiy Popko warned on Telegram.
"An aerial object has been detected in the airspace near Kyiv. Air defence forces and assets may be operating. Do not panic. Stay in shelters until the air alert is over!" he urged.
Update 13:45. According to updated information from the KCMA, the object was a balloon launched from the north.
"At the moment, this object does not pose a threat. Appropriate measures have been taken to eliminate it. I don't cease to urge Kyiv residents and visitors not to ignore air raid warnings. Do not make mistakes, do not allow yourself to relax and assess independently how serious the alarm is. Do not be guided by unofficial information from social media, such as isolated takeoffs of potential missile carriers (etc.). Treat every alert announcement with the utmost responsibility! Remember, the cost of one mistake can be the life or health of you and your loved ones," Popko said.
This is not the first time that Russians have launched balloons into Ukraine to deplete air defenсe.