On Friday, Russian drone strikes on Ukraine caused the deaths of 20 individuals, with 14 fatalities occurring during an assault on a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih, according to local authorities. The attack also extended to other regions, including Mykolaiv and Kharkiv, where additional casualties were reported.

In response to the attacks, the Ukrainian military claimed to have intercepted or neutralised 107 out of 135 drones launched by Russian forces overnight. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the strike on Kryvyi Rih, his hometown, labelling it a ‘double-tap’ attack. This term refers to the tactic of launching a second wave of attacks while first responders are on-site, which he characterised as akin to terrorist actions.

Local administration leader Oleksandr Vilkul reported that 121 individuals sustained injuries in the Kryvyi Rih incident, including 22 children. Ongoing rescue operations are focusing on clearing debris and searching for survivors. This latest strike adds to the long history of assaults against the city over the course of the ongoing conflict.

Casualties in Mykolaiv and Kharkiv Regions

Earlier on the same day, a drone strike in the Kharkiv region resulted in the deaths of two women, aged 73 and 66, while two others were injured, as stated by regional head Oleh Syniehubov. Later in the evening, four individuals were killed in the Mykolaiv region, including three children, according to information from emergency services.

These events followed a significant missile and drone attack on Kyiv the previous day, which claimed 16 lives. This summer has seen a marked increase in the frequency of large-scale Russian strikes, with recent incidents in Kyiv resulting in 17 casualties just over two weeks prior.

The United Nations reported that Kyiv was one of the most severely impacted cities in July, with at least 54 civilian fatalities and 202 injured. Analysts suggest that the increase in Russian missile attacks is partly due to Ukraine’s dwindling supplies of US-made Patriot air defence systems, which are essential for intercepting such missiles.

Escalation of Hostilities and Counterattacks

There have also been reports of Ukrainian counterattacks within Russian territory. In the Belgorod region, a Ukrainian drone strike reportedly targeted a vehicle, resulting in one death and injuries to four others, with two individuals in serious condition. President Zelenskyy noted that a separate drone strike by Ukraine hit an oil refinery in Perm, situated over 1,600 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, as well as a military airfield in Volgograd.

A Russian news outlet reported that the drone strike caused a fire at a Lukoil-operated oil facility in Perm, although local officials did not specify the location of the damage. In response to these events, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed to have intercepted 325 Ukrainian drones over 15 regions, including Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014. Reports indicate that another 211 drones were subsequently shot down.

The intensifying long-range strikes are reflective of a stalemate on the battlefield, as both sides struggle to make significant progress. With a front line extending approximately 1,250 kilometres, movement has been hindered by a high presence of drones and ground robotics, which continue to pose significant threats to military operations. Ukrainian officials aim to exert pressure on ordinary Russians to provoke dialogue, yet President Vladimir Putin remains steadfast in his commitment to the conflict.

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