The Ukrainian Air Force reported today that Russia launched 125 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), 25 ballistic missiles, 10 Zirkon hypersonic missiles, and six other missile types into Kyiv and its surrounding areas overnight. The majority of these targets were aimed at the Ukrainian capital.
President Volodymyr Zelensky described the assault as one of Russia's "largest ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv." At least one person was killed and 16 others were injured, according to the Kyiv Independent.
"It was the most terrifying night of my life", stated Eleonora Belei, a 30-year-old resident of the Lukianivska district in northwest Kyiv.
The first explosions were heard in Kyiv around 1h30 on 19/7 (5h30 AM Hanoi time). Air raid sirens blared across central and eastern Ukraine. Around 2h30, Russia launched a concentrated barrage of ballistic and hypersonic missiles at Kyiv.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, its air defense systems successfully intercepted 108 UAVs, one Kh-59/69 guided missile, 17 ballistic missiles, and Zirkon missiles.
In Kyiv's Dniprovskyi district, a fire erupted in a dormitory building due to falling debris, while black smoke billowed near a shopping center, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported.
He added that missiles struck the grounds of a commercial facility in the Desnyanskyi district, igniting numerous vehicles. Fires broke out on the roof of a supermarket and a residential building in the Solomyanskyi district. Debris also fell near a 9-story building elsewhere in the district, shattering windows. Several other areas in Kyiv also sustained damage from Russia's bombardment.
Zelensky stated that over the past week, Russia deployed 1,450 UAVs, over 1,640 guided bombs, and 99 various types of missiles against Ukraine.
"Intercepting ballistic missiles is currently our top and continuous priority", Zelensky said following the 19/7 attack. "We need missiles every day, and I am very grateful to all who have seriously implemented agreements to ensure the supply for ballistic missile defense systems".
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A building in Kyiv after Russia's strike on 19/7. Photo: X/ Volodymyr Zelensky |
In recent months, Ukraine has also intensified its attacks on Russian territory.
President Zelensky declared on X on 18/7 that "two large logistics facilities were attacked in the Moskva and Tambov regions, in response to Russia's attacks on our civilian infrastructure, cities, and people". He alleged that these centers were used to supply components for UAV production and navigation equipment.
Moskva Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated on the same day that over 370 UAVs were launched towards the Moskva region in the evening. He added that from 11-18/7, Moskva's air defense forces intercepted nearly 1,892 Ukrainian UAVs.
By Thanh Tam (Kyiv Independent, AFP)
