In the early hours of July 31, 2024, Russia launched what Ukrainian officials described as the largest drone attack of the year, and one of the most significant since the war began. The assault involved 89 Iranian-made ‘Shahed’ drones and one X-59 guided air-to-ground missile, all of which were reportedly intercepted and destroyed by Ukrainian air defense forces.The attack, which lasted over seven hours, primarily targeted Kyiv and its surrounding regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the successful defense, stating, ‘When we have sufficient supplies, the Ukrainians can fully protect their skies from Russian strikes’. Despite the scale of the attack, there were no reported casualties in Kyiv, although 13 individual houses in the region suffered damage from falling debris.While Kyiv was the main target, the assault was part of a broader offensive that affected multiple regions across Ukraine. In the southern Kherson region, a 68-year-old man was killed and a 73-year-old woman injured. The attack also coincided with Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, including a reported hit on an ammunition and equipment storage facility near Kursk.The massive drone assault comes amid escalating tensions and increased military activities on both sides. Ukraine has recently stepped up its aerial attacks on Russian targets, while Russia has made incremental gains along the 1,000km-long frontline. The Ukrainian military reported destroying two Russian Tu-22M supersonic bombers in an attack on an airbase in Murmansk, although this claim has not been independently verified.As the conflict intensifies, both nations are taking steps to bolster their military capabilities. Ukraine is expecting to receive F-16 fighter jets in August, while Russia has reportedly increased financial incentives for soldiers signing up for front-line duty. These developments underscore the ongoing nature of the conflict and the challenges facing both sides as they seek to gain strategic advantages.
Key points
- Ukraine successfully intercepted and destroyed 89 Russian drones and one missile in a massive attack.
- The attack, lasting over seven hours, primarily targeted Kyiv but affected multiple regions across Ukraine.
- Despite the scale of the attack, there were no casualties in Kyiv, although some buildings were damaged.
- The assault comes amid escalating tensions, with both sides increasing military activities and seeking to enhance their capabilities.
Contradictionsđź‘ľWhile most sources report 89 drones being shot down, one Russian source claims that 34 effective strikes were delivered on various military targets.
This discrepancy in reporting highlights the ongoing information war between the two sides.
