Russia launched one of its most massive ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv overnight into July 19, killing one person and injuring 16 others across the capital and surrounding region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy wrote that Russian forces fired more than 40 missiles of various types, most aimed at the capital, along with 120 attack drones, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko gave a more detailed local toll, reporting one person killed and 15 injured directly in the capital, with nine hospitalized and three in serious condition, per Ukrainska Pravda. Rescue operations continued at three locations in Kyiv, with nearly 600 emergency workers responding, while related services also worked in Odesa Oblast.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia attacked with 125 drones and 41 air- and ground-launched missiles of various types overnight, for a total of 166 aerial weapons detected by radio-technical forces. As of 8:30 a.m., air defenses had shot down or suppressed 126 targets, including 17 Iskander-M, Zircon, and S-400 missiles, one Kh-59/69 guided air-launched missile, and 108 drones of various types, according to NV.
Ukraine’s parliament condemned the strike, saying it once again demonstrates that Russia’s goal is to destroy the Ukrainian state and terrorize its people, and expressed support for everyone affected by the attack, according to a statement from the Verkhovna Rada.
Zelenskyy called ballistic missile defense one of Ukraine’s top ongoing priorities and urged partners to speed up deliveries of interceptor systems and missiles.
