On Tuesday, Russia launched a second day of intense missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, targeting several Ukrainian regions with a combination of air and sea-based weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that some of these missiles were intercepted by Western-supplied F-16 fighter jets before they could hit their intended targets.
The attacks resulted in significant destruction, including the killing of at least five people, and damaged infrastructure such as hotels, homes, and critical facilities, causing power outages in Kyiv and other cities amidst extreme heat.
The Ukrainian military detailed the origins of the Russian strikes, identifying the regions and occupied territories from which the attacks were launched. President Zelenskyy has persistently urged the U.S. to remove restrictions on Ukraine’s ability to strike deep within Russian territory to target military infrastructure crucial to the conflict.
Despite ongoing discussions, Zelenskyy expressed frustration over the lack of progress, likening the diplomatic back-and-forth to a game of ping-pong.
Russia Intensifies Missile and Drone Attacks on Ukraine as Zelenskyy Urges U.S. for Greater Military Support
In the aftermath of the missile interceptions by F-16s, Zelenskyy acknowledged the support Ukraine has received but highlighted that there are insufficient aircraft and trained pilots to fully capitalize on this aid. Concurrently, the Russian region of Kursk was reported as a source of the day’s attacks.
Ukrainian forces have reportedly gained control of nearly 500 square miles in Kursk, a significant area approximately the size of Los Angeles, and captured 594 Russian prisoners, although these claims remain unverified.
The intensified fighting in Kursk has led to large-scale evacuations and raised concerns about the safety of the Kursk nuclear power plant. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi described the situation as “serious” and expressed concerns over the risk of a nuclear incident following reports of drone attacks on the plant. Despite these concerns, Grossi noted that the plant is currently operating close to normal.
In response to the escalating conflict, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal called for increased long-range weaponry and permission to strike targets within Russia. President Joe Biden condemned the recent Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and announced that the U.S. is prioritizing air defense exports and energy equipment to support Ukraine’s resilience.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that the strikes were aimed at critical energy facilities supporting Ukraine’s military efforts and reported shooting down four Ukrainian missiles over Kursk.
