Russia, Ukraine report overnight drone, missile strikes as attacks hit Black Sea shipping PHOTO

17 July 2026 10:54

Russia and Ukraine reported a new wave of overnight strikes on July 17, with Moscow saying its air defences intercepted 243 Ukrainian drones and Kyiv reporting Russian missile and drone attacks across the country.

According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, the drones were intercepted over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Oryol, Rostov, Smolensk and Tula regions, as well as the Krasnodar and Stavropol territories and the waters of the Azov and Black seas, Caliber.Az reports.

The ministry also said Russian forces struck Ukrainian ports used to supply the Ukrainian military. It said port infrastructure in Odesa and Chornomorsk was damaged, including facilities used to unload and store military cargo and fuel, as well as workshops for the production and assembly of drones. A fireboat was also damaged in the port of Chornomorsk, according to the ministry.

Ukraine also reported strikes against Russian-linked maritime shipping. Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, said nine dry cargo ships, one tanker, one gas carrier and one tugboat were damaged on July 17. He said 159 vessels linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” had been struck between July 6 and 17.

Meanwhile, Ukraine said Russia had attacked the country overnight on July 16 with one Kh-31P anti-radar missile, seven Kh-59/69 guided air-to-surface missiles and 130 strike drones of various types.

According to preliminary Ukrainian data, air defences shot down or intercepted five Kh-59/69 missiles and 115 drones across the northern, southern and eastern parts of the country.

Ukraine said two missiles and eight attack drones struck seven locations, while debris from downed drones was found at five others. It added that the Kh-31P anti-radar missile failed to reach its target.

“The attack is ongoing; there are several Russian UAVs in the airspace. Please observe safety precautions!” — the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported.