Ukraine Strikes Target 19 Russian Energy Hubs as Zelenskyy Warns of New Moscow Attack
Russia is preparing a new large-scale missile strike on Ukraine within the next 48 hours, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amid a recent surge in civilian casualties from drone and missile attacks. Ukraine strikes on Russian energy infrastructure have continued even as the warning was issued.
Zelenskyy Warns of Imminent Russian Strike
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russia is preparing a massive strike on Ukraine within the next 48 hours. [2] Zelenskyy stated in his evening address on 24 July that intelligence indicated Russia has readied missiles for a new massive attack that could occur within 48 hours. [2] He said, "We know from our intelligence and our partners that the Russians have readied missiles for a new massive attack on Ukraine. The strike may take place today – we have preliminary information that it could happen within the next 48 hours. Please take care of yourselves and pay attention to air-raid warnings." [2] Zelenskyy added that Russia is preparing a new wave of mobilisation for the autumn, noting that the Russians are losing more troops on the front than they are recruiting yet Putin is still planning to intensify the attacks. [2] He called for defense at every level including the front, long-range sanctions, mid-range strikes, diplomacy, and engagement with supporters of life and peace. [2]
Rising Toll on Ukrainian Civilians
In June, 293 Ukrainian civilians were killed and 1,990 injured in Russian attacks, the highest monthly total since April 2022. [1] A Russian drone struck a gas station in Nikopol on 19 June, severely injuring civilian worker Margarita with burns and loss of an eye; she crawled from the rubble to survive. [1] Margarita was at work when the drone hit the building and everything collapsed over her. [1] She gathered her strength and crawled out, thinking she had to fight so someone would see she was alive, and she has a family she wants to see do well. [1] She lost consciousness after emerging and remained unconscious when arriving at Mechnikov hospital in Dnipro several days later. [1] The left eye of Margarita is completely destroyed and she has serious burn injuries to her face and body. [1] Medical director Yuriv Ivanovych at Mechnikov hospital noted that the facility has been in overcapacity since 24 February 2022 and treats civilian war injuries every day and night in addition to military patients. [1] The hospital has a maximum capacity of 1,200 patients but consistently has at least 1,700. [1] When a missile hits Dnipro the hospital receives a mass admission situation, with the most recent bringing in around 30 patients at once. [1] Victims can suffer massive injuries to the skull, thorax, amputations, indirect blast injuries, burns, and mine injuries. [1]
Zelenskyy warns of imminent large-scale Russian missile strike on Ukraine. — Source: ukrainskapravda
Ukrainian Retaliatory Strikes on Energy Infrastructure
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck 19 Russian energy hubs in one day as part of a July operation hitting 136 facilities including 17 in Crimea. [5] Commander Robert "Magyar" Brovdi reported that the strikes over the past day hit 17 in Crimea and two in other temporarily occupied territories. [5] The total count during the 1-24 July operation reached 136 energy facilities in cities including Yalta, Feodosiia and Yevpatoriia. [5] These included power substations in Hurzuf, Feodosiia, Oleksiivka, Vesele, Yevpatoriia, Skvortsovo, Shchebetivka, Sudak and Yalta, as well as a power substation in Kremenivka in Donetsk Oblast. [5] Electricity consumption in Crimea fell by 42% in the first 20 days of July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. [5] On 12-13 July Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck the Kuban-Crimea power bridge and 11 energy hubs in Russian-occupied territories. [5]
Attack on Merchant Vessel Sparks International Condemnation
A Russian strike on the grain-carrying merchant vessel MV Golden Leo off Odesa killed 10 people including four Indian seafarers, prompting Indian government rejection of Moscow's claim that the ship carried weapons. [3] The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel had loaded grain as cargo prior to its departure on July 19. [3] MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the information available showed the vessel carried grain and reiterated that commercial shipping and seafarers must not be targeted under any circumstances. [3] External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated India's position during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila. [3] India summoned Russian Charge d'Affaires Vladimir Ladanov to convey grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation of the attack. [3] Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had defended the actions by saying Russian forces would continue striking ships involved in transporting ammunition and weapons for Ukraine. [3] The attack on MV Golden Leo, carrying 17 crew members including five Indians, was carried out by Russian cruise missiles while leaving Odesa. [3] India also condemned another attack on the commercial vessel MV OMORFI in the Black Sea that killed an Indian national. [3]
Drone Incursion Prompts Romanian Interception
A suspected Russian drone that entered Romanian airspace was shot down by a Romanian F-16, the first such interception since the full-scale invasion began. [4] President Nicusor Dan noted that a Romanian F-16 jet shot down the drone after it entered the country’s airspace and the fighter shot over an uninhabited area. [4] A Romanian military source indicated Russia was the suspected point of origin given the pattern of previous incursions. [4] Romania’s Ministry of National Defence said a radar first detected the drone about 20km east of the Black Sea port of Sulina before it crossed into national airspace on a path through Braila, Fetesti and Buzau county. [4] Two Italian Eurofighter Typhoon jets deployed under NATO’s air policing mission were joined by two Romanian F-16s, and one F-16 engaged the target with an air-to-air missile downing it over unpopulated ground near the village of Padina. [4] No casualties or injuries were reported. [4] Romania has recorded dozens of drone incursions since the war began, and this marked the first successful interception. [4] In late May a drone struck an apartment building in Galati injuring two people, the first such strike on a populated area in a NATO country. [4] NATO chief Mark Rutte has said Moscow’s reckless behaviour is a danger to all. [4]
Ongoing Strain on Medical Services
Dnipro's Mechnikov hospital exceeds capacity treating civilian and military war victims daily while continuing routine care and recovering from a nearby missile strike. [1] The hospital takes in the hardest injured patients in the Dniprov region and must also treat patients from traffic accidents, heart attacks and strokes as these cases have not disappeared. [1] Everything happens 24/7. [1] In October 2024 a missile hit barely 50 meters from the hospital, blowing out more than 500 windows and doors, yet staff continued operations in the middle of two procedures and patients survived with only minor glass injuries. [1] When a patient is stabilized after five to seven days they are evacuated to other cities and regions for further treatment, with some needing long-term care transported abroad. [1] Yuriv Ivanovych noted that when the war ends there will be an enormous scope of psychological injuries that must be treated, describing it as an enormous task. [1] He recalled a 2022 case where a man arrived with his grandchild after their house was attacked and carried the remains of his daughter in a plastic bag. [1]
What to watch next: Zelenskyy has stressed that Patriot air defence missiles remain the number one priority as Russia continues preparations for intensified attacks.
