Ukraine Strikes Kill Six as Russian Missiles Hit Kyiv Before Air Alerts
Ukraine strikes involving Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine overnight and into Saturday killed at least six people and wounded dozens more, including attacks that hit Kyiv before air raid sirens sounded. [2]
Casualties and Damage from Overnight Strikes
Russian forces launched more than 120 drones and 12 missiles during the night, half of them ballistic, striking civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, Sumy, Odesa and other regions. [2] In Kyiv, missiles wounded 11-12 people including two children, damaged apartment buildings, offices and a theological school, with explosions heard before air alerts were issued. [2] [1] A guided aerial bomb in Sumy killed four people including a young girl. [2] A missile strike in Odesa killed two drivers and injured two others while damaging port infrastructure, cargo lorries and a civilian merchant vessel. [2] [5] Six people were injured in a Russian attack on Izium in Kharkiv Oblast, and a girl was seriously injured in the city of Kharkiv. [3] Recovery efforts were under way in multiple regions following the strikes on civilian sites. [2]
Attacks on Kyiv Before Air Alerts
Russian missile attacks on Kyiv wound eleven people. [1] At least 11 people, including a child, were wounded after Russia launched an overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv early Saturday. [4] Missiles also hit the capital Kyiv, wounding 12 people including two children, according to the city's mayor. [2] AFP journalists in Kyiv heard two series of explosions in the early hours, with an air alert siren sounding minutes after the first blast. [2] Apartment buildings, offices and a theological school were damaged in Kyiv. [2] Saturday's strike on Kyiv marked the second time in less than a week that missiles hit before an air alert was issued. [2]
Strikes in Sumy, Odesa and Kharkiv Regions
In the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy, a guided aerial bomb killed four people including a young girl, the city's mayor Artem Kobzar said. [2] A separate missile strike on the southern city of Odesa killed two others, regional governor Oleg Kiper said. [2] Two drivers have been killed and two other people injured in a Russian attack on a port in Odesa Oblast, which also damaged several cargo lorries. [5] A civilian merchant vessel flying the flag of St Kitts and Nevis was also damaged in the strike, with a fire breaking out on board but promptly extinguished. [5] Six people were injured in a Russian attack on Izium in Kharkiv Oblast on 11 July, and a girl has been seriously injured in the city of Kharkiv. [3] The enemy carried out a strike on the city of Izium using a drone, damaging apartment buildings. [3] Russian forces also attacked Kharkiv, where an enemy drone hit a petrol station causing a fire that was promptly contained. [3]
Ukrainian Air Defence Response and Limitations
Zelensky said air defences managed to shoot down most of the targets but not the ballistic ones. [2] A recent spate of deadly attacks using dozens of ultra-fast ballistic missiles has put Ukraine's air defence system under strain. [2] Moscow has been firing missiles and drones at Kyiv almost daily since launching its invasion in February 2022. [2] Impacts before the sirens could indicate Russia had used S-400 anti-aircraft missiles to carry out strikes on the ground. [2] During ground attacks, these missiles are more difficult to detect by radar. [2] There is no military logic to such attacks. It is simply terrorism for the sake of terrorism. [2]
Zelensky's Call for Additional Aid
Zelensky repeated his plea for allies to send more military aid to help it fight off the Russian invasion, now well into its fifth year. [2] He urged the United States to swiftly follow through on its pledge to license Ukraine to make Patriot air defence systems. [2] US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would allow Ukraine to manufacture the missiles. [2] Zelensky said on Thursday that technical details still needed to be agreed. [2] He posted videos of emergency teams working in the smoke and rubble of ruined buildings. [2] Patriot missile license a long-term investment for Ukraine but can it afford the wait. [2]
Russian Claims and Recent Context
Russia, which denies targeting civilians, said it had struck military-industrial facilities in Kyiv and seaport infrastructure in Odesa. [2] On Friday, Ukrainian drones hit oil refineries in southern Russia, as Kyiv targeted its foe's energy infrastructure. [2]
What to watch next: Ukraine continues to seek swift licensing for domestic production of Patriot air defence systems while facing repeated overnight attacks that have included strikes before air alerts.
