Russia intensifies strikes on Ukraine

In July, Russia intensified its long-range missile strikes on Ukraine, firing a record number of missiles, including hard-to-intercept ballistic missiles. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission reported at least 437 civilians killed and 2,610 injured in July, a 30% increase from the previous month and a 70% increase from July 2025, marking the highest monthly civilian death toll since May 2022. The UN has verified 16,874 civilian deaths since the invasion began, though it cautions this is likely an underestimate due to lack of access to occupied territories. Russia also struck Ukraine's largest Danube grain port of Ukraine — Izmail, causing damage and a fire, and a Russian drone hit a passenger train in the Ukraine — Odesa region, killing two crew members. Ukraine retaliated with long-range attacks on Russian targets, including an oil refinery in Russia — Bashkortostan and the port of Russia — Novorossiysk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pleaded with allies for more MIM-104 Patriot air defense systems, requesting at least 5% of the US stockpile to counter ballistic missile attacks. Russia also reportedly seized the village of Ukraine — Petrivka in Ukraine — Donetsk and a Russian military official was killed in an explosion in Ukraine — Crimea, according to Russian news agencies citing the Russia — Federal Security Service.