Ukraine has launched devastating waves of drone attacks on Moscow overnight in revenge for the biggest Kremlin ballistic missile attack on Kyiv since the war began. The strikes also targeted three oil depots and a fuel storage facility in Russia’s Stavropol region, and hit three Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tankers in the Black Sea. A further four Russian ships were struck in both the Azov and Black Seas as Kyiv intensifies efforts to expose Russia’s defense vulnerabilities and deplete its ability to fund the war.
Attacks on Crimea and Moscow
Targets in occupied Crimea also came under attack as Ukraine struck seven electricity infrastructure sites across the invaded peninsula. Kyiv’s intelligence assessments conclude that Ukraine has in the past 12 days hit 160 of the Kremlin’s shadow fleet vessels, crippling Moscow’s war chest. Attacks on Moscow included more than 400 kamikaze drones on the region surrounding Moscow, setting off blazes at logistics hubs, an oil depot, and residential homes.
Russia's Ballistic Missile Blitz
This followed a major Russian ballistic missile blitz on Kyiv and other cities throughout Ukraine on Sunday, killing at least six and injuring close to 20 other victims. Although Ukraine has hit back hard at Moscow, Kyiv is in desperate need of Patriot defense systems which could intercept the Kremlin’s ballistic missiles. Moscow has stepped up its use of ballistic missiles as it seeks to battle against Ukrainian strikes on oil facilities deep inside Russia that have caused critical fuel shortages affecting both the military and the civilian population. Donald Trump has said he is prepared to grant Ukraine licenses to produce Patriots, the most effective means of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles, potentially bolstering Kyiv’s defenses.
'Kyiv Has Very Limited Ability to Defend'
But the problem with that is it could take years for the production of Patriots inside Ukraine, and Kyiv needs the defenses now. One security source told the Mirror: “Strikes between Moscow and Kyiv are increasing as both sides are trying to gain the upper hand and appear the most potent. Ukraine has blitzed Moscow’s ability to pay for the war in recent months with repeated attacks on the Kremlin’s oil refineries, gas depots and logistics hubs. That is having a very real and damaging effect on the Kremlin’s economy and supply chains to frontline troops. But Russian President Vladimir Putin knows ballistic attacks on Ukraine are devastating as Kyiv has very limited ability to defend against them.”
Civilian Toll and Russian Missile Shortages
Ukrainian cities are coming under increasing attacks throughout, with at least 28 people killed in the country’s southern Odesa region throughout July so far. Odesa in particular has come under fire as many as 15 times in just one day, with sirens blaring and sending civilians fleeing for underground shelters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the raid on Kyiv was "one of the most massive ballistic attacks" since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in 2022. But it shows Russia is becoming desperate as it has fired more ballistic missiles in 19 days than it produces in a month—it makes around 100 in 20 days. With 107 ballistic missiles launched in less than three weeks, Russia has already exceeded that estimated monthly production capacity.
