Ukraine claims F-16s intercepted some missiles in the most recent Russian bombardment, which claimed five lives
The Russian Defence Ministry claimed that Ukraine has sustained heavy casualties in Kursk, with around 6,600 troops killed or injured and over 70 tanks destroyed.
Russia launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine on Tuesday, marking a second consecutive day of intense bombardment.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that some of the missiles were intercepted by Western-supplied F-16 fighter jets before reaching their targets.
The assault resulted in at least five fatalities and caused significant damage, destroying a hotel, residential buildings, and critical infrastructure across multiple Ukrainian regions. Cities, including Kyiv, experienced power outages amidst the extreme heat.
In the wake of the attacks, Ukraine’s military detailed the Russian regions and occupied territories from which the strikes were launched. Zelensky and other top officials have persistently urged the U.S. to remove restrictions on Ukraine’s ability to conduct strikes deep inside Russia to target military infrastructure.
“They try not to discuss this with me. But I keep raising the issue. Generally, that’s the situation. The Olympics are over, but the ping-pong continues,” Zelensky commented.
Addressing the use of F-16s to shoot down a missile, Zelensky expressed gratitude for the support but noted the need for more aircraft and trained pilots.
Among the Russian regions cited as launch points for Tuesday’s attacks was Kursk, where Ukrainian forces, according to Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, have gained control of nearly 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) since a surprise incursion three weeks ago.
This area is approximately the size of Los Angeles. Syrskyi also reported the capture of 594 Russian prisoners during the operation, aimed at diverting Russian military focus from Ukraine. These claims could not be independently verified.
The Kursk incursion, the largest into Russian territory since World War II, has prompted the evacuation of about 130,000 residents.
Russia has reinforced its positions in the region, but the impact on Russian control within Ukraine remains unclear.
Concerns about the Kursk nuclear power plant have been raised due to the ongoing conflict. Rafael Grossi, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, visited the plant and described the situation as “serious.”
Grossi reported evidence of drone attacks on the plant’s facilities but noted that operations were “close to normal.”
The Russian Defence Ministry claimed that Ukraine has sustained heavy casualties in Kursk, with around 6,600 troops killed or injured and over 70 tanks destroyed.
These figures could not be independently confirmed.
The second consecutive barrage of Russian air and missile attacks resulted in five deaths and 16 injuries. The attacks included 81 drones, along with cruise and ballistic missiles.
In the Kyiv region, which faced blackouts following Monday’s assault on energy facilities, five air alerts were issued overnight. The regional administration reported that air defenses managed to intercept all drones and missiles, though falling debris caused forest fires.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal condemned the targeting of energy infrastructure as an act of terrorism and called for additional long-range weapons from Ukraine’s allies. U.S. President Joe Biden labeled Monday’s attacks on energy infrastructure as “outrageous,” announcing a re-prioritization of U.S. air defense exports to Ukraine and increased energy equipment support to help repair and strengthen Ukraine’s energy grid.
The Russian Defence Ministry stated that the attacks utilized “long-range precision air- and sea-based weapons and strike drones” targeting critical energy infrastructure.
Russian officials also reported shooting down four Ukrainian missiles over the Kursk region.
