Nighttime Missile Attacks in Ukraine: Human Losses and Defence Efforts Responding to Russian Aggression
On the night of July 21, Ukraine was once again hit by a powerful wave of Russian missile and drone attacks, resulting in casualties and widespread destruction of infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that two Ukrainians lost their lives during this intense assault, with 15 others injured, including a 12-year-old boy. This latest escalation highlights that Russian aggression persists and continues to target civilian populations and vital facilities across Ukraine. Zelensky emphasized that the Russian military launched over 420 attack drones and more than 20 missiles of various types, including ballistic ones. During the night strikes, residential buildings, kindergartens, enterprises, and transportation infrastructure in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and other regions sustained significant damage. Several regions, such as Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Poltava, and Kherson, also experienced infrastructure hits. In response, Ukrainian forces deployed mobile interception systems, army aviation, electronic warfare units, and drone suppression technology to shoot down as many targets as possible. According to Zelensky, a substantial number of attacks were successfully countered; nonetheless, some missiles and drones penetrated defenses, causing damage and casualties. The Ukrainian leadership calls for bolstering air defenses, as the ongoing mass assaults prove particularly challenging to intercept completely. Throughout the night, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed numerous drones, but some still managed to reach city centers, leading to destruction and human injuries. This escalation followed a broad combined air attack by Russia on July 21, involving various drone and missile platforms. Such assaults have become more frequent, forcing Ukraine’s military to continually improve its defense systems. Overall, the situation remains tense, with authorities urging citizens to remain vigilant while doing everything possible to protect civilians and eliminate enemy targets. The night’s events reaffirm Ukraine’s resilience and determination in defending its sovereignty amid ongoing war.