Russia launches one of largest ballistic missile attacks of the war on Ukraine
Russia fired dozens of ballistic missiles and over 120 drones at Ukraine overnight into Sunday, hitting Kyiv and damaging residential buildings and a supermarket. At least one person was killed and 15 wounded.
Attack Details
Russia launched a massive overnight strike on Ukraine into Sunday, firing over 40 ballistic missiles of various types and 120 attack drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the scale of the attack, noting the particular danger of ballistic missiles, which are difficult to intercept due to their speed. Ukraine's air force reported shooting down 18 of the 41 missiles, including nearly all ballistic ones, and described it as one of the largest strikes on Kyiv in the past five weeks.
Damage and Casualties
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the strikes damaged residential buildings, a supermarket, and a dormitory. Ukrainian officials reported at least one death and 15 injuries in the capital. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed it hit defense industry facilities and logistics centers in Kyiv.
Defense Shortages and International Response
The attack underscores Ukraine's critical shortage of Patriot interceptors, exacerbated by the war with Iran that depleted Western stocks. Zelenskyy has stated Ukraine needs 300 Patriot systems for the coming winter. U.S. President Donald Trump recently offered to allow Ukraine to produce the missiles under license, but the deal is not finalized. Meanwhile, nine European countries agreed on July 13 to support Ukraine's development of a homegrown anti-ballistic system, and France is licensing Ukraine to produce its Aster interceptors.
Calls for Stronger Sanctions
Ukrainian officials renewed pleas for tougher EU sanctions. Acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called it the largest ballistic attack of the war and urged the EU to unblock its 21st sanctions package, stalled for three days due to objections from Austria and Greece. The package would blacklist 250 individuals and target banks and vessels involved in smuggling Russian oil. EU ambassadors are expected to try again Tuesday.
Ukraine's Strikes on Russia
Ukraine continued its own attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces hit three oil depots in Russia's Stavropol region and struck three tankers from Russia's shadow fleet in the Black Sea on Sunday.
