Escalating Tensions: Ukraine Faces Intense Air Assaults from Russia

On July 19, Russia intensified its nighttime air attacks launching drones and missiles targeting different locations across Ukraine. The southern port city of Odesa got a heavy assault for another night.

Simultaneously, in Crimea, Russian emergency officials hauled over 2,200 people out of four villages as a result of a fire at a military facility. This led to the clamped closure of one significant highway that contributed towards chaos in the annexed region.

Air strikes were particularly intense in Odesa, where dozens of missiles and strike drones targeting the port as well as critical infrastructure were downed. Debris from the missiles and drones shot down during the attacks fell upon residential areas, resorts, and warehouses due to which several people suffered injuries.

Key infrastructure, such as grain and oil terminals, was hit by Oniks and Kh-22 missiles that caused damage and fires. Ukrainian air defense targeted drones approaching Kyiv successfully in an effort to avoid casualties.

Elsewhere in the country, regions like Zhytomyr, Poltava, and Kirovohrad also reported attacks as well with some infrastructure and private homes damaged.

The strikes followed a previous “strike of retribution” by Russia on Ukrainian military facilities near Odesa and Mykolaiv, carried out with sea-launched precision weapons. Those actions were in response to a strike on the Kerch Bridge, connecting Russia to Crimea, which Moscow blamed on Ukraine.

Ukraine’s top security agency hinted at involvement in this July 17 attack on the Kerch Bridge, but also did not make an outright claim of responsibility, unlike their response to previous incidents. The situation remains tense as both sides exchange accusations amidst ongoing hostilities.