Nationwide Ukraine Air Raid Alert: MiG-31K Kinzhal Carrier Takes Off, Ballistic Weapon Threat Declared — Day 1,555

On May 29, 2026 — Day 1,555 of Russia's full-scale invasion — Ukrainian air defense authorities declared a nationwide air raid alert after confirming the takeoff of a Russian Mikoyan MiG-31K interceptor aircraft from a Russian base. The MiG-31K is the primary carrier platform for Russia's Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (Dagger) hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile — one of Russia's most feared long-range strike weapons with a range of approximately 2,000 km and speeds of Mach 10+, capable of reaching targets anywhere in Ukraine within minutes of launch. Ukraine's air defense command activated the alert to allow civilians to seek shelter and air defense systems to prepare for incoming fire. The threat followed Russia's latest mass strike pattern, with airspace alerts becoming routine as Ukraine tracks Russian aircraft takeoffs in near-real-time via its radar network and open-source intelligence. Previous Kinzhal attacks have destroyed hardened underground facilities; Ukraine has successfully intercepted multiple Kinzhals using Patriot PAC-3 batteries since the first confirmed Kinzhal interception in May 2023. The pattern of MiG-31K flights has intensified in May 2026 following Russia's May 24 mass strike using the Oreshnik IRBM on Bila Tserkva.