![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/HIMARS-Missile-Test.jpg\")
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An Estonian Defense Forces M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) fires a training rocket during a live-fire exercise in Undva, Estonia, July 11, 2025. U.S. Army elements from Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, supporting Task Force Voit, assisted in the training process. The task force was originally formed in 2023 to support the Estonian Defense Forces in the creation of a HIMARS unit. Task Force Voit works closely with the Estonian Armed Forces, sharing critical defense strategies, training, and military readiness support. The presence of U.S. troops in the region serves as a cornerstone of NATO\u2019s commitment to security in the Baltic region. The task force provides combat-credible forces to V Corps, America\u2019s only forward-deployed corps in Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Rose Di Trolio)<\/p>\n
The latest exchange of fire is a sign of what\u2019s to come, with both sides refusing to back down and focusing more costly resources \u2013 including ballistic and cruise missiles \u2013 on devastating cities and critical infrastructure rather than focusing entirely on front-line gains.\n<\/p>\n
Russia Launches Massive Assault On Kyiv<\/p>\n
Russia launched an overnight attack that saw 74 missiles and almost 500 drones launched at Ukrainian targets. It was one of the largest aerial assaults of the war, and Ukrainian officials said that Kyiv appeared to be the primary target. The bombardment resulted in around 130 buildings across the capital city being damaged, including apartment blocks and other civilian infrastructure. One nine-story residential building suffered catastrophic damage following a missile explosion.<\/p>\n
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that it was Russia\u2019s \u201cmost massive attack on the capital<\/a>\u201d in a statement and declared Friday a day of mourning<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n Ukraine\u2019s emergency services continued searching collapsed buildings on Friday and warned that more victims could still be trapped beneath the rubble. Statements also described how children and emergency responders are among those who have been injured in the strikes.\n<\/p>\n The attack also destroyed a major humanitarian warehouse operated by the Ukrainian Red Cross, which said that around 320,000 emergency relief items were destroyed in the strikes.\u00a0<\/a>\n<\/p>\n One of the biggest publishing companies in Ukraine, BookChef Publishing, also reported that around 800,000 books were destroyed<\/a> after a warehouse was hit during the attack.\n<\/p>\n Zelenskyy Demands More Air Defenses<\/p>\n After touring the destruction left behind in the capital city, Zelenskyy insisted that Ukrainian forces would \u201cdefinitely\u201d respond to the latest strikes. To continue his long-range strike campaign against Russia, however, he must first secure the air defense systems he needs to protect against Russian aggression. Following the strikes, Zelenskyy sought the help of Western allies, requesting more air defense systems and suggested that promised deliveries have so far been too slow to keep up with the pace of Russian attacks.\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe also separately reviewed the volumes and timelines for the delivery of air defenses that are needed on an almost daily basis. In the coming days, the key priority across all diplomatic work, all meetings and negotiations will be air defense for Ukraine. I am grateful to everyone who is helping. I am proud of everyone who produces defense capabilities for Ukraine,\u201d Zelenskyy said in a statement issued on X.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Kremlin Vows to Increase Pressure<\/p>\n Moscow has indicated that the campaign will intensify further. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said during his daily conference call with reporters on Thursday, July 2, that President Vladimir Putin had been briefed by Russia\u2019s military leadership on the overnight strikes against Kyiv and defended the operation as a response to recent Ukrainian strikes in Russian territory. When asked about European Union plans for additional sanctions against Russia, Peskov said that Moscow would continue \u201cincreasing pressure on the Kyiv regime in order to achieve the goals it has set.<\/a>\u201d\n<\/p>\n In a separate statement, the Russian Ministry of Defense said that the overnight barrage had targeted Ukraine\u2019s military-industrial complex and energy facilities supporting defense production. The ministry described the strikes, which killed civilians, as a like-for-like retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure, and said that all designated targets were hit.\u00a0<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Will Russia Target NATO Next?<\/p>\n Putin has already shown that Moscow is willing to escalate by hitting Kyiv harder than it has before, but the escalation could soon go beyond Ukraine. Speaking to RMF FM radio<\/a> on Wednesday, July 1, Polish minister Tomasz Siemoniak revealed that Polish and allied Western intelligence agencies are growing concerned that Russia could be preparing to stage a hybrid or limited military attack against Poland or the Baltic states to test NATO\u2019s resolve.<\/p>\n In other words, Putin might want to see what would happen if NATO<\/a> territory were hit.\n<\/p>\n Siemoniak said Polish intelligence has observed suspicious interest from individuals linked to Russian intelligence services around military bases and critical infrastructure.\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe observe the \u200cinterest \u2060of people who are commissioned by Russian services in various facilities which are important from the Polish-Ukrainian point of view,\u201d Siemoniak said.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n When asked directly about the potential for Russian attacks<\/a> against Poland<\/a> or the Baltic states, he noted that \u201cRussia has an arsenal of such actions\u201d and that \u201cthey are preparing them.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to take into account various possibilities,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n About the Author: Jack Buckby\u00a0<\/p>\n