Ukraine launches over 400 drones at Moscow; top general likely to be dismissed
Ukraine attacked Moscow with more than 400 drones on Monday, sparking fires at an industrial park and an oil depot. Meanwhile, Russia continues heavy missile strikes, and Ukraine's military commander is expected to be replaced amid growing internal tensions.
Massive Drone Attack on Moscow
Ukraine fired over 400 drones toward Moscow on Monday, according to the city's mayor. The attack ignited a fire at the Yuzhnye Vrata industrial park, a Wildberries warehouse site similar to those hit over the weekend. President Zelenskyy said the warehouses were targeted because of their involvement in Russia's war effort. A fire also broke out at an oil depot in Podolsk, about 20 km south of Moscow. Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian forces struck logistics facilities and an oil depot in the Moscow region, as well as two vessels from Russia's shadow fleet and four dry cargo ships in the Black Sea.
Russian Missile Strikes and Civilian Casualties
Russia has launched more ballistic missiles against Ukraine in July than it is estimated to produce each month, the Institute for the Study of War reported. The think tank noted that Russia is depleting its stockpiles as these missiles have a higher success rate than drones or cruise missiles. On Monday, a Russian attack on an infrastructure facility in Odesa killed at least three people and wounded three others. The Odesa region has seen 28 deaths in July, with the governor stating the area faces constant daily shelling and sometimes 13–15 air raid alerts per day. Additional fatalities were reported in Pavlohrad, Kramatorsk, and the Zaporizhzhia region.
Command Change and Ship Attacks
Ukraine's military commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, is widely expected to be dismissed. The general staff denied media reports of his imminent sacking, but Presidential Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov hinted at it, saying the public's position has been heard and the situation is being resolved professionally. Meanwhile, Russian attacks have hit civilian ships. On Sunday, a cargo vessel under the Guinea-Bissau flag was struck shortly after leaving Odesa port, killing 10 crew members, including five Syrian sailors. Eight people were rescued. India reported that four of its nationals were killed in the attack on the grain carrier MV Golden Leo. Ukraine denies targeting civilians, while Syria condemned the repeated attacks on commercial vessels with Syrian crews.
