Moscow, Kyiv release parallel accounts of overnight strikes

Russia and Ukraine have reported large-scale overnight aerial attacks, with both sides detailing drone interceptions and strikes on infrastructure targets.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 328 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles between 20:00 Moscow time on July 24 and 08:00 on July 25. According to the ministry, the drones were downed across a wide geographical area, including the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Voronezh, and Rostov regions, as well as the Moscow region and parts of southern Russia, in addition to over the Sea of Azov.

The ministry also said Russian forces carried out coordinated strikes using precision air-launched weapons and attack drones against Ukrainian port infrastructure. “As a result of the strikes, in the port of Mykolaiv, a dry cargo ship delivering goods was hit during unloading; in the port of Odesa, port infrastructure facilities intended for unloading and storing military cargo were hit; in the port of Izmail, port infrastructure facilities intended for unloading and storing fuel and lubricants, as well as a warehouse with Ukrainian armed forces’ military equipment, were hit,” it said.

Ukraine, for its part, reported that Russia launched two Kh-59/69 guided air-launched missiles and 157 drones overnight, including Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas strike UAVs, along with Parodiya-type decoy drones.

Ukrainian officials said air defenses intercepted or suppressed 127 drones and one of the missiles. They reported confirmed strikes by 26 drones across nine locations, while debris from intercepted UAVs fell at four additional sites. The remaining missile did not reach its target.

“The attack continues; several Russian UAVs remain in the airspace. Follow safety rules!” the Ukrainian armed forces said.

By Tamilla Hasanova