Russia Intensifies Aerial Assault on Ukraine, Causing Casualties and Damage

On Saturday, Russia launched a large-scale aerial assault on Ukraine, marking the fourth major attack this month. The strikes involved hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, targeting cities across the country, including those in the west. The city of Chernivtsi, near the Romanian border, was hit particularly hard, resulting in at least two fatalities.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported that Russia deployed 597 drones and 26 missiles in the attack. The strikes caused casualties, with two people killed and twenty injured. Civilian infrastructure was also damaged, affecting areas from Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast to Lviv, Lutsk, and Chernivtsi in the west.

Ukrainian air defenses responded, intercepting a portion of the incoming threats. The air force reported downing 25 missiles and 319 Shahed drones. Additionally, electronic warfare measures were used to jam 258 other drones. President Zelenskiy emphasized the need for decisive action, including stronger sanctions against Russia and increased air defense capabilities for Ukraine.

The recent attack is part of a pattern of intensified aerial strikes. Russia has significantly increased its use of drones and missiles since June. The UN Human Rights monitoring mission in Ukraine reported that June saw the highest number of civilian casualties in three years, with 232 deaths and 1,343 injuries.

Western Ukrainian cities bore the brunt of the overnight attack. In Chernivtsi, a 26-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man were killed, and 14 others were wounded. The city suffered damage from both drones and a missile strike. Lviv also experienced significant damage, with numerous residential buildings, a university, and other structures affected.