In Russia, the morning strike on Kyiv was described as a "response" to the Ukrainian forces' attack on a factory in the Rostov region.

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the morning attack on Kyiv on December 20 is a "response" to Ukraine's strike on the chemical facility "Kamenka Plant" in the Rostov region.

This is stated in a message from the Russian defense agency.

The Russian Ministry of Defense indicates that today the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a coordinated strike with precision long-range weapons on an alleged SBU command post, the Kyiv design bureau "Luch," and positions of the Patriot air defense system.

"The targets have been achieved. All objects have been hit," the Russian Ministry of Defense assures.

At the time of writing, the Russian side has not provided objective evidence confirming the claim of hitting the aforementioned objects.

As a result of the Russian shelling, the St. Nicholas Church in Kyiv has been damaged. The blast wave shattered a large colored stained glass window and blew out windows.