Ukraine's Pavlohrad reels from explosions in unprecedented Russian assault

The city of Pavlohrad in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region endured a night and morning of relentless Russian attacks on July 19, described by local authorities as the most intense assault on the city to date.

According to Ukrainian media, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration, Serhiy Lysak, reported the situation via Telegram, writing: “A hellish night and morning for Pavlohrad. The most massive attack on the city. Explosion after explosion. Russian troops targeted the city with missiles and drones.”

Lysak confirmed that the strikes triggered multiple fires and inflicted damage on a fire station, several industrial enterprises, and a five-story residential building.

Elsewhere in the Dnipropetrovsk region, the Synelnykivskyi district was also affected, where two private homes were destroyed. Russian forces used FPV drones and artillery in the Nikopol district, striking the Marganetska, Myrovska, and Pokrovska communities. A minibus was damaged during the attacks.

Lysak added that a 57-year-old man was injured on the evening of July 18 in a strike on the Marganets community. He also noted that an air raid alert remains in effect across the region due to the continuing Russian offensive.

The broader assault on Ukraine began on the evening of July 18, with Russia launching ballistic missiles and drones at several locations.

In Kyiv, debris from a drone struck a residential building in the Darnytskyi district during the night. 

In Odesa, Russian strikes hit a high-rise residential building, causing a fire across multiple floors. One woman was killed, and several others were injured in the attack.

By Tamilla Hasanova