In brief
Russian forces launched a wave of ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv that killed one person and injured at least 14 civilians, officials reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it one of the most massive attacks on the capital since the full-scale invasion began. Ukraine’s air defenses downed 18 of 41 missiles and intercepted 108 drones, underscoring the intensity of the confrontation. In response, Ukrainian drone operators struck two Wildberries warehouses in Russia, causing major fires and casualties. The escalating retaliation reflects the broader conflict’s impact on civilian infrastructure and the strategic use of long-range drones and missiles.
Russia launches major ballistic missile attack on Kyiv
Russia carried out a wave of ballistic missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital overnight, killing one person and wounding at least 14, officials said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the assault as "one of the most massive ballistic attacks on Kyiv" since the start of Russia’s full‑scale invasion.
Ukrainian air defences reported intercepting 18 out of 41 missiles and detected 108 drone approaches. In the south‑west region of Stavropol, a drone strike ignited a fire in a large industrial park.
The latest strikes employed Russia’s Iskander, hypersonic Zircon missiles, as well as 125 drones, according to the Ukrainian air force.
Kyiv’s mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said buildings of both residential and non‑residential nature were damaged, including a supermarket and a dormitory. Firefighters combated blazes at two warehouses.
Zelensky highlighted that over the past week, Russia had used about 1,450 strike drones, more than 1,640 guided bombs and 99 varied missiles against Ukraine.
The overnight attacks followed Ukraine’s drone strikes targeting two Wildberries warehouses, Russia’s largest online retailer, which resulted in eight deaths and extensive fires.
In Tambov, a facility incident caused seven deaths and 25 injuries, while another Wildberries warehouse in Elektrostal recorded one death and 37 injuries. Zelensky urged that Ukrainian operations were a response to Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure and communities.
Wildberries, likened to Amazon but Russia‑specific, is part of the RWB group valued at around $12.6 bn, according to Forbes Russia. Ukraine’s intensified long‑range drone campaign has crippled Russian fuel production, reportedly disabling nearly 43% of Russia’s oil refining capacity through mid‑July.
Ukraine considers Russian oil and gas facilities legitimate targets, arguing that Moscow’s reliance on fossil fuel exports finances its ongoing invasion that began in February 2022.
