In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia and Ukraine exchanged large-scale drone and missile attacks on July 20, 2024, resulting in civilian casualties and extensive infrastructure damage on both sides.Ukraine launched a massive drone offensive against Russian territory, with the Russian Ministry of Defense reporting the destruction of 74 Ukrainian drones over the past 24 hours, including 27 over Russian soil. The attacks primarily targeted the Rostov, Smolensk, and Belgorod regions. Russian air defense systems also claimed to have intercepted two ATACMS rockets, a sign of Ukraine’s use of more advanced weaponry.In retaliation, Russia conducted widespread missile and drone strikes across five Ukrainian regions: Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kyiv. The attacks employed a mix of Iskander missiles and Shahed drones. In the Kharkiv region, two civilians were killed and three injured when Russian forces struck the town of Barvinkove with Iskander missiles at 3:15 AM, damaging over 50 buildings.The strikes also targeted critical infrastructure, with energy facilities in Poltava, Sumy, and Chernihiv oblasts sustaining damage. In Poltava alone, nearly 4,000 people were left without electricity and 700 without water. The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting 13 out of 17 Russian drones but acknowledged their inability to intercept four ballistic missiles.The intensification of attacks on both sides underscores the conflict’s ongoing volatility and the increasing use of sophisticated weaponry, raising concerns about further escalation and civilian impact.
Key points
- Russia and Ukraine exchanged large-scale drone and missile attacks on July 20, 2024, resulting in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
- Ukraine launched a massive drone offensive, with Russia claiming to have shot down 74 Ukrainian drones in 24 hours.
- Russian strikes on Ukraine killed at least two civilians in Kharkiv and damaged energy infrastructure across five regions.
- Both sides are employing increasingly sophisticated weaponry, including ATACMS rockets and Iskander missile systems.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported numbers of drones shot down, with some sources citing 30 and others 74.
This may be due to different time frames or incomplete information.
