Kyiv: At least 19 people were killed Sunday in drone and missile strikes across Russia and Ukraine, with a notable incident destroying a book market in Kyiv. Moscow faced one of the most extensive assaults since the onset of the conflict, which has seen both nations intensifying long-range strikes over the past several months. Authorities highlighted the growing number of civilian casualties, over four years into the Russian invasion.
According to France24.com, the attacks resulted in 19 fatalities as drones and missiles targeted civilian infrastructure on both sides. The ongoing stalemate at the frontlines and stalled negotiations have led to an increase in long-range strikes deep into each other's territories, escalating the civilian death toll to unprecedented levels since the early months of the war in 2022.
In the southern Rostov region of Russia, swarms of Ukrainian drones resulted in the deaths of five people in a residential area, as reported by regional governor Yuri Slusar. Additional casualties included three individuals in the Belgorod, Kursk, and Moscow regions, and four others in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Moscow's regional governor, Andrey Vorobyov, described the assault as "one of the most massive drone attacks in recent memory." Russia's defense ministry reported intercepting 822 drones nationwide overnight.
In Ukraine, Russian drones and missiles targeted ArcelorMittal's steel plant in Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown, resulting in two deaths and 14 injuries. The plant, a major steel producer in Ukraine, partially halted operations due to damage to its core facilities. Another strike in Kryvyi Rih claimed one more life. Additional strikes in other regions led to fatalities, including two in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, one in Sumy, and another in Donetsk.
A popular outdoor book market in Kyiv, known for its rare and antiquarian volumes, was also struck, resulting in significant destruction. Bookseller Dmytro Semenukha reported the loss of his four stalls. In a social media post, Zelensky criticized the Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure, citing the extensive use of attack drones, guided aerial bombs, and missiles over the past week, and urged allies for enhanced air defense support.
The conflict's impact has extended beyond the immediate region, affecting neighboring European countries. Following the overnight incursion, Romania's defense ministry reported that a Spanish F-18 fighter jet intercepted a drone that breached Romanian airspace near Ukraine and Moldova. NATO also confirmed that its fighter jets downed a drone entering Latvian airspace, marking the second such incident in a week, as reported by Latvia's defense ministry.
Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russia's largest online retailer, Wildberries, accusing it of supplying components for Russian drones. A Wildberries warehouse near Moscow was set ablaze by Ukrainian drones overnight. Since mid-July, Ukraine has targeted approximately 20 warehouses and facilities linked to the company. Zelensky emphasized these attacks, along with strikes on oil refineries, aim to weaken Russia's war economy.
The United Nations reported 437 civilian deaths in Ukraine in July, marking the highest monthly toll since May 2022. In contrast, Russian authorities recorded 79 civilian deaths on their side in July, an increase from the previous month.