President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that overnight Russia launched over 420 drones and more than 20 missiles at Ukraine. Two people were killed and 15 injured, including a 12-year-old child.
The information was shared by the head of state on Telegram.
“Rescue and emergency operations are ongoing in our cities and communities following the Russian shelling. There is damage in Kyiv and the surrounding region, Kharkiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and there were shootdowns of attack drones in Sumy, Khmelnytskyi, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Poltava, and Kherson regions. Russia’s strikes are always against humanity: in Kyiv, a kindergarten, residential buildings, and other civilian infrastructure caught fire,” Zelenskyy said. He also mentioned damage to ordinary buildings in Kharkiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and its region.
“Fifteen people were injured, the youngest boy is 12 years old. Everyone is receiving help. Two people died during the attack. My condolences to their families and loved ones,” the President added.
He noted that during the night, Russia launched more than 420 drones and over 20 missiles, including ballistic ones. Waves of attacks continued throughout the night and lasted until morning. In the morning, Shahed drones struck again in the Kharkiv region. Throughout the shelling, mobile fire groups, army aviation, electronic warfare units, Air Force warriors, and interceptor drones were active.
“Many were shot down, but unfortunately not all. That is why we must continue scaling up interceptors. This is the solution that will allow us to defend against massive attacks,” Zelenskyy emphasized. He thanked everyone working in and with Ukraine to protect lives — to increase weapons production, strengthen our air defense, and continue efforts on sanctions. “Only real pressure on Russia can stop this aggression,” the head of state said.
Following the latest massive airstrike on Ukrainian cities, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on social media platform X that protecting Ukrainian lives requires tougher sanctions against Russia, strengthening air defense, and increasing weapons production for Ukraine.
The foreign ministry noted that overnight Russian forces conducted a massive airstrike against Ukraine targeting residential areas, educational institutions, and transport infrastructure.
“Protecting lives requires tougher sanctions against Russia, strengthening air defense, and increasing weapons production for Ukraine. Only sustained pressure on Russia can stop its aggression,” the MFA emphasized.
Since 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, the Russians attacked using 450 aerial weapons: 426 Shahed-type attack UAVs and various decoy drones; 5 Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” aeroballistic missiles; 4 Kalibr cruise missiles; 1 Iskander-K cruise missile; and 14 Kh-101 cruise missiles.
