Russia launched a total of 6,297 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into Ukraine during July, according to an analysis released on 1/8 by Agence France-Presse (AFP). This represents a 16% increase compared to June and the third consecutive month of escalation.
This also marks the highest monthly total since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in early 2022. Moscow also launched 198 missiles at Ukraine over the past 30 days, more than any other month this year except for June.
These attacks occurred nightly, triggering air raid sirens and forcing residents to seek shelter, according to AFP.
In a large-scale attack on the morning of 31/7, Russia launched a total of 309 suicide UAVs with decoys and eight Iskander-K cruise missiles. Five missiles and 21 UAVs penetrated air defenses, hitting 12 locations. Debris fell in 19 areas, mostly in Kyiv, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
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A ruined building in Kyiv after the Russian missile and UAV attack on 31/7. Photo: AP |
A ruined building in Kyiv after the Russian missile and UAV attack on 31/7. Photo: AP
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the targets included Ukrainian defense enterprises, a military airfield, an ammunition depot containing missiles, and UAV components.
Officials reported on 1/8 that the death toll in Kyiv reached 31, including five children, with 159 injured. An AFP reporter at the scene witnessed rescue workers pulling bodies from the rubble of a 9-story building.
"This terrible Russian attack shows the need to increase pressure and sanctions on Moscow," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on 1/8, adding that rescue operations in Kyiv had concluded.
"This can only be stopped if everyone acts together, including the US, Europe, and others around the world," Zelensky added.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union's (EU) foreign policy chief, also condemned the Russian attack.
"Providing more weapons to Ukraine and imposing stronger sanctions on Russia is the fastest way to end the conflict. Our priority is to deliver more air defense systems to Ukraine," she said.
Zelensky has repeatedly called on Western allies to continue providing missile defense systems to counter Russia's long-range attacks. Germany announced on 1/8 that it would soon supply two more Patriot systems to Ukraine.
Russia's intensified UAV and missile attacks on Ukraine follow a significant increase in its weapons production. Earlier this month, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said the country had tripled its drone production target, believed to refer to the plan for Geran-type long-range UAVs and smaller drones in 2025.
Pham Giang (Via AFP)
