Russia launched more than 300 drones and at least eight missiles overnight, targeting Ukraine in a massive aerial assault, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday.
The capital, Kyiv, was the primary focus of the attack.
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Posting on Telegram, Zelensky reported that emergency crews – including rescuers, firefighters, and medics – have been working at the scenes of impact sites since the overnight strikes began.
According to Zelensky, the Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Sumy, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv regions were targeted. In one residential area of Kyiv, an entire entrance to a high-rise building was destroyed.
“As of now, six people have died, including a six-year-old boy and his mother. My condolences to all relatives and friends. We also know of dozens injured – all are receiving the necessary assistance,” Zelensky said.
He said Russia used over 300 aerial weapons, including 309 Shahed-type drones and decoy UAVs, in addition to eight Iskander-K cruise missiles.
“Today, the world once again saw Russia’s response to our common desire with America and Europe for peace – new, demonstrative killings,” Zelensky added. “Peace without force is impossible.”
He said Ukraine is working to ensure all security agreements and defense contracts are fully implemented to protect lives.
“Our partners have all the tools to force Russia to the negotiating table. We expect that everything being voiced now by America and Europe will be followed through,” he said.
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In a statement on Telegram, Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed the large-scale attack began at 6:00 p.m. on July 30 and continued into the morning of July 31, involving 309 Shahed drones and decoy UAVs, and eight Iskander-K cruise missiles.
The Air Force reported that Ukraine’s aviation, air defense units, electronic warfare systems, and mobile fire groups shot down or suppressed 291 of the 317 incoming targets, including:
- 288 Shahed drones
- Three cruise missiles
Despite this, direct hits from five missiles (including one on a residential building in Kyiv) and 21 drones were recorded at 12 sites. Debris from intercepted drones and missiles fell in 19 locations, most of them in Kyiv.
“Unfortunately, there are fatalities and injuries. Our condolences go to the families of the victims,” the Air Force said in its statement.
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