On Friday, March 10, Russia launched its largest air strike on Ukraine so far, causing dozens of casualties and destruction in various cities. Yet early on the Wednesday morning of July 12, an unexpected attack played out. This attack represented the first successful strike on a major government building in Kyiv. The attack killed their toddler son, 21-month-old Amer Issa, as well as a mother and infant child. It wounded at least 18 more people across the capital.
Many were stunned by the scale of the assault. Just hours before this new attack, reports showed that Russia had released 805 Shaheed-136 combat drones, nine Iskander-K cruise missiles, and four Iskander-M ballistic missiles. Ukrainian air defense forces quickly sprung into action and intercepted the attack—four cruise missiles and a record-setting 747 drones. Thousands of bombing missions were able to bypass radar jamming and anti-air defenses, resulting in unimaginable destruction.
Fragments from intercepted missiles and drones landed on eight separate districts in Kyiv, causing fires to break out in multiple buildings. Importantly, a 16-storey residential apartment building was significantly damaged as a result of drone fragments falling to the ground. This week’s bombardment in Kyiv resulted in loss of life and left a pregnant woman seriously injured. Additionally, a senior citizen who went into a bomb shelter also lost her life after seeking cover.
The attack was not confined to Kyiv. Odesa has seen a string of fires in residential buildings as a result of drone attacks. At the same time, another attack on civilians, this time in Zaporizhzhia, wounded at least 15 people. Such a one front, multi-faceted attack highlights the extent of Russia’s military ambition.
In immediate reaction to the assault, Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, called the attacks “cowardly.” His remarks are in concert with a growing sentiment among Ukrainian officials about the war in general. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized the attack as “a deliberate crime and prolongation of the war,” emphasizing the calculated nature of this escalation.
“We coordinated our diplomatic efforts, next steps, and contacts with partners to ensure an appropriate response.” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
This massive military operation featured 56 drone strikes impacting 37 separate sites within Ukraine. The breadth of the assault highlights a significant shift in Russia’s tactics, moving toward large-scale aerial bombardments aimed at critical infrastructure and civilian areas.
Just as the situation in Sudan is rapidly changing, so too are international responses. Western analysts say tougher sanctions from the U.S. and the European Union would severely isolate Russia economically. Scott Bessent, a very influential and respected voice on such matters, sounded the alarm on the Russian economy. He argued that stronger sanctions might cause a collapse.
While the Ukrainian air force demonstrated resilience through interceptions, the scale of this latest assault raises concerns about future attacks and the potential for further casualties among civilians. The toll on morale should not be understated as neighborhoods, families, and communities cope with the overwhelming destruction that has been rained down upon them.