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Ukraine claims to have shot down a volley of Russian hypersonic missiles – one of Moscow's most potent weapons – during an attack on the capital Kyiv described as "exceptional in density". It is the first time Ukraine has claimed to have struck down multiple Kinzhal – which means "dagger" in Russian – missiles in one go. If confirmed it would be a demonstration of the effectiveness of Kyiv's newly-deployed Western air defences in helping thwart some of Russia's most advanced weaponry. President Vladimir Putin has previously claimed that the Kinzhal would be able to "overcome all existing and, I think, prospective anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense systems". Officials claimed to have intercepted all six of the Kinzhal fired at it, as part of a volley of 18 missiles launched by Moscow's forces in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Video footage showed air defences destroying targets over the capital, with the barrage also including cruise missiles and kamikaze drones. The overnight attack on Kyiv was "exceptional in its density – the maximum number of attacking missiles in the shortest period of time", said Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv military administration. Kyiv authorities said three people were wounded by falling debris. “Another unbelievable success for the Ukrainian air forces!” Oleksii Reznikov, the defence minister, said on Twitter. If the Kinzhal claims are confirmed as accurate, it highlights the role that modern Western weaponry – such as the US-made Patriot surface-to-air missiles defence system – can have in Ukraine repelling missile assaults in what would be a blow to the Kremlin. Russia, always keen not to lose face in the propaganda war that surrounds the battlefield action, itself claimed to have destroyed a Patriot missile battery in Kyiv using a Kinzhal, but the Defence Ministry spokesman – Igor Konashenkov – did not provide evidence. Reports last week suggested that Russia has previously tried to destroy Patriot systems, that arrived in Ukraine a few weeks ago. Russia also said that Tuesday's attack had hit all its targets, which it claimed had been aimed at Ukrainian fighting units and ammunition storage sites. Kinzhal missiles, which travel on a ballistic trajectory and have a potential maximum speed of more than 7,000mph (11,000km/h), can carry conventional or nuclear warheads up to 1,200 miles (2,000km). Russia used the weapon in warfare for the first time in Ukraine last year and has only acknowledged firing the missiles on a few occasions. Mr Putin has frequently touted it as proof of world-beating Russian military hardware, capable of taking on Nato. Acknowledging the use of the weapon last March, US President Joe Biden called the Kinzhal a "consequential weapon" and that it is "almost impossible to stop it". With Ukrainian forces preparing to go on the offensive against Russia's invasion for the first time in six months, Moscow is now launching long-range air strikes at the highest frequency months. It has launched eight drone and missile volleys so far this month, compared to weekly during the winter and a lull in March and April. Kyiv says it has been shooting most down. This latest assault followed President Volodymyr Zelensky’s trip to various European capitals – London, Berlin, Paris and Rome – as he calls on Western allies to send Kyiv more advanced weaponry and fighter jets and speed up deliveries. Mr Zelensky met with Rishi Sunak on his mini-European tour and the prime minister said during a trip to Iceland on Tuesday that he would discuss the issue with European allies. "I'll be talking to other countries, making sure that we continue to support Ukraine, give them the support that they need to defend themselves against Russian aggression, and also start thinking about the longer term security arrangements that we will want to put in place to support Ukraine in the long term," Mr Sunak said, with him due to meet meets other leaders at the Council of Europe Summit. During the past week, Ukraine says its forces have made their biggest gains on the battlefields of eastern Ukraine in months, recapturing several square km of territory on the northern and southern outskirts of the city of Bakhmut. The city has been the scene for some of the bloodiest fighting of the war and its fate has taken on symbolic significance to both Kyiv and Moscow. Ukrainian deputy defence minister. Hanna Maliar, said on Tuesday that troops have made gains around Bakhmut in recent days but Russian forces have advanced slightly in the eastern city itself. She said the Ukrainian military had reclaimed about 20 square kilometres (7.5 square miles) or territory from the Russian forces in the past few days around Bakhmut, "For example, within a few days, our troops liberated about 20 square kilometers from the enemy in the north and south of the suburbs of Bakhmut," she wrote on the Telegram messaging app. "At the same time, the enemy is advancing somewhat in Bakhmut itself, completely destroying the city with artillery." Kyiv says those advances are localised and do not yet represent the full force of its upcoming counteroffensive to reclaim territory taken by Russia during their invasion and Ms Maliar,, said developments there "should not be taken out of context". 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Fernando Alonso hopes he can take advantage of Max Verstappen’s inconsistent starts to end his 10-year wait for victory at Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix. The evergreen Alonso, 41, lines up behind Verstappen following an exhilarating qualifying session in the sun-cooked principality. Home favourite Charles Leclerc will be third on the grid for Ferrari, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell sixth and eighth respectively in their revamped Mercedes machines. Alonso took his last pole at the 2012 German Grand Prix, but he looked destined to end his 3,961-day losing streak when he moved to the top of the time charts in the closing stages. Verstappen was the only driver who could spoil the dreams of Alonso, and his Aston Martin mechanics, who had already celebrated wildly in the belief that their man had captured pole. Verstappen trailed Alonso by two tenths before he delivered a mesmerising final sector on the most famous streets in Formula One to take pole by just 0.084 seconds. “We will try to win,” said Alonso, who claimed his 32nd and final victory in Spain a decade ago. “We need some help from Max but I am not going to take it for granted. “It’s a very short run into Turn 1. We normally have a good start. Max is a bit inconsistent, so maybe he has one of those bad ones tomorrow.” Qualifying is crucial in Monte Carlo given how troublesome it is to pass at this tight and twisty venue. However, the omens are encouraging for Alonso. In the last seven years, the driver starting from second has won on more occasions than the man on pole. The last time Alonso started a race in Monaco from the front row – back in 2007 – he won. Rain could also be a factor. A victory for Alonso would be a popular one in the sport. But Verstappen’s team has won every race this season, and the Dutchman’s Red Bull is so often imperious over the course of a race distance, rather than a single lap. “I would like to see Fernando win,” admitted Verstappen. “But I would like to win, too, so we will see. “In qualifying you need to go all out and risk it all. My first sector wasn’t ideal in my final lap and I was a bit cautious, but then I knew I was behind so in the last sector I just gave it everything I had, clipping a few barriers along the way.” Further back, Mercedes were banking on their much-anticipated upgrade providing them with a springboard to challenge the grid’s all-conquering Red Bull team. But on its grand unveiling here, Hamilton was at odds with his new car. Hamilton, who earlier crashed in final practice on Saturday following a mistake at the right-hander Mirabeau, missed the chicane in the opening stage of qualifying – only avoiding an early bath with his final lap – before scrambling into Q3 after he grazed the wall at the swimming pool chicane. “Man this car is hard to drive,” said the seven-time world champion, who also reported there was “something wrong” with his right-rear suspension. He eventually finished 0.360 secs behind Verstappen, with team-mate Russell six tenths adrift. Sergio Perez is Verstappen’s closest championship challenger, but the Mexican will start Sunday’s 78-lap race at the back of the pack after he crashed out of qualifying. The running was just six minutes old when Perez – 14 points adrift of Verstappen in the standings – carried too much speed through the opening Sainte Devote corner and thudded into the wall before coming to a standstill in the middle of the circuit. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Max Verstappen fends off Fernando Alonso to take pole position in Monaco Lewis Hamilton: Racist abuse of Vinicius Junior really hits home for me Bernie Ecclestone would be surprised if Lewis Hamilton wanted to leave Mercedes

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