The Ukrainian Air Force Command reported that Russia launched an attack early this morning with 5 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, 19 Kh-101, Kalibr, and Iskander-K cruise missiles, and 426 Geran-2 suicide drones and decoy aircraft.
"Air defense units shot down 200 suicide drones and most of the missiles. The remaining missiles went off course due to electronic countermeasures, with no information on impact locations. 203 decoy aircraft also failed to reach their targets or were jammed," the command stated.
The Ukrainian Air Force Command admitted that 23 UAVs slipped through air defenses, hitting three locations. Debris from destroyed aircraft also fell in 12 areas.
Ukrainian media reported that the large-scale Russian attack caused explosions in several provinces, with Kiev and Ivano-Frankivsk most affected. Ivano-Frankivsk Mayor Ruslan Martsinkiv said the city experienced its largest attack since the conflict began, with "many locations" hit.
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Explosions light up the Kiev sky early on 21/7. Photo: Reuters |
Explosions light up the Kiev sky early on 21/7. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine's emergency response agency reported 4 injuries and damage to several residential buildings in Ivano-Frankivsk province. Fires also broke out at multiple locations in the region.
In Kiev, police reported at least one death and 6 injuries. Fires occurred in 4 districts, and infrastructure sustained damage. Kharkov Mayor Igor Terekhov said the city was hit 12 times overnight, causing a fire at a civilian industrial facility and damaging an apartment building.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said two people were killed and 15 injured, emphasizing the need to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses.
DD Geopolitics, an X account specializing in information about the war in Ukraine, reported that dozens of Russian UAVs targeted the Artem defense plant and Zhulyany airport.
The Artem defense plant, located outside Kiev, manufactures air-to-air missiles and auxiliary systems, anti-tank missiles, and aviation equipment for the Ukrainian army. Zhulyany International Airport in the Solomiansky district houses a Patriot air defense battery protecting the capital.
NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) satellite data showed fires at an industrial complex east of Kharkov and an aircraft manufacturing plant north of the city after the UAV attacks.
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Russian attacks including UAVs (yellow), Kinzhal (blue), and other missiles targeting Ukraine early on 21/7. Image: X/Clash Report |
Russian attacks including UAVs (yellow), Kinzhal (blue), and other missiles targeting Ukraine early on 21/7. Image: X/Clash Report
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced a combined attack using high-precision long-range air-, ground-, and sea-launched weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, targeting Ukrainian defense industry enterprises and military airport infrastructure.
"The attack completed its objectives. All designated targets were hit," the ministry stated.
Russia has recently conducted several large-scale combined missile and UAV attacks on Ukraine, exploiting Ukraine's shortage of air defense missiles, especially Patriot interceptors, following a US aid suspension.
On 14/7, US President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Russia, demanding a peace agreement with Ukraine within 50 days or face sanctions. These include a 100% tariff on Russian goods and secondary tariffs on countries purchasing Russian exports.
Ukraine is also investing in drone interception technology, notably the $6.2 million "Clear Sky" defense project to protect Kiev.
Pham Giang (Reuters, Ukrainska Pravda)
