The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that its air defenses shot down a total of 172 Ukrainian suicide UAVs from the evening of 19/7 to midday on 20/7. 30 drones were downed over the Moscow region, 23 of which were heading towards the Russian capital. The remainder were intercepted over western Russian regions, the Crimean Peninsula, and the Black Sea.
The Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) stated that 4 major airports near Moscow – Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky – were affected, with 134 flights diverted. The extent of damage from the attack, if any, is unclear.
The Ukrainian military has not commented on the report.
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A Russian Tor air defense system fires near the front line on 1/2. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense |
A Russian Tor air defense system fires near the front line on 1/2. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense
This drone attack follows a series of Russian missile and UAV strikes targeting Ukraine, focusing on Pavlograd in the Dnipropetrovsk region and Odessa.
The Ukrainian Air Force Command reported that Russia deployed a total of 344 Geran-2 suicide UAVs and decoy aircraft, 12 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, and 23 Iskander-K and Kh-101 cruise missiles. The command acknowledged that 5 Iskander-M missiles and 30 UAVs penetrated air defenses, hitting 12 locations.
Russia and Ukraine continue to exchange attacks while negotiations between the two sides remain stalled, with progress limited to prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of soldiers' remains.
On 19/7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for renewed talks with Russia, proposing high-level meetings to "ensure lasting peace". He suggested Russia take necessary steps towards a ceasefire, including prisoner exchanges, the return of Ukrainian children, and an end to attacks.
Moscow has repeatedly expressed its willingness to engage in new negotiations, but remains committed to the ultimate goals of its "special military operation". In previous talks, Russia maintained firm conditions, including Ukraine's relinquishment of annexed territories and a complete halt to Western military aid. Kyiv considers these demands unacceptable.
Nguyen Tien (According to RIA Novosti, TASS, AFP, Reuters)
