Russia launched a massive overnight assault on Ukraine between July 15 and 16, firing over 400 drones, artillery shells, and an Iskander ballistic missile from Crimea, according to Ukrainian officials.
The strikes came just days after former US President Donald Trump issued a 50-day ultimatum for Russia to agree to a peace deal or face heavy sanctions.
The attacks resulted in at least one death and over two dozen injuries. A missile strike in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rig knocked out power and water supplies, while separate drone strikes in Vinnytsia and Kharkiv left several civilians wounded, including a 17-year-old boy in critical condition.
“This has never happened before a ballistic missile and 28 Shahed drones at once,” Kryvyi Rig Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul stated.
Despite Trump’s recent announcement of a new NATO agreement to bolster Ukraine’s air defense systems, Russia has intensified its offensive amid stalled ceasefire negotiations. Direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia have not resumed for over a month.
AFP