Ukraine war live: Putin launches ‘biggest ballistic missile attack on Kyiv’

Ukrainian forces launched targeted strikes against Russian energy infrastructure this morning. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that units hit three oil depots and a fuel facility in the Stavropol region. These actions occur alongside attacks on three tankers identified as part of the Russian shadow fleet operating in the Black Sea. This activity follows a significant aerial assault against Kyiv on Sunday.

Ukrainian authorities reported that the Sunday attack on the capital involved nearly four dozen ballistic missiles. This event represents the largest single ballistic missile barrage observed in the region since the conflict began. Emergency responders worked throughout multiple districts of Kyiv to extinguish fires at residential buildings, office sites, and industrial locations. Official reports indicate at least one fatality and sixteen injuries within the city from this specific offensive.

Separate strikes occurred near Kharkiv at a postal depot, resulting in four additional deaths and nineteen injuries. Additionally, officials identified a strike on a cargo vessel off the coast of Odesa that resulted in multiple crew casualties. The Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship was transporting grain when it came under fire. Ukrainian leadership continues to point to these incidents as evidence of persistent threats to regional stability and global food security.

Analysts note that Russian forces have accelerated their use of ballistic missiles during July, utilizing stockpiles at a rate that reportedly exceeds current monthly production capabilities. Meanwhile, diplomatic activity remains active with recent meetings between Russian and North Korean officials in Moscow. These developments reflect the ongoing intensity of the conflict as both sides engage in retaliatory actions across energy and logistical sectors.