Air defenses engaged waves of incoming weapons overnight, with reports of multiple impacts across regions. Details on damage and casualties remain under verification.
From the evening of June 30, Russia launched a new missile strike on Ukrainian territory: from the occupied Crimea an Iskander-M ballistic missile was fired, from the Black Sea an X-59 air-launched guided missile, and 151 attack drones were used as well, according to the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The military adds that defense against the attacks was provided by aviation, the Air Defense Forces, EW units, and mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, together with the use of unmanned systems.
According to preliminary data, as of 7:30 on Wednesday, July 1, the air defense shot down / suppressed the X-59 guided air-launched missile and 130 enemy drones in the north, south and east of Ukraine. Hits by 17 strike UAVs were recorded at 16 locations, and debris from downed targets (wreckage) fell at four locations.
– Report
Regions and nature of the strikes
Russian forces regularly employ various types of weapons – strike drones, missiles, KABs and MLRS – to strike cities and critical infrastructure in all regions of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian authorities and international organizations describe these actions as war crimes by the Russian Federation, with indications of deliberate targeting and emphasize their systematic nature.
Attacks on life-support systems and health-care facilities with the aim of depriving people of electricity, heat, water supply, communications and medical assistance are viewed as signs of genocidal actions, experts and officials emphasize.
Russian leadership denies any intention to carry out targeted strikes against civilian infrastructure, arguing that the actions amount to military operations. The government and international organizations call for an objective assessment of these actions and for holding those responsible to account, while data collection for investigations continues.
The front-line situation remains tense: experts and officials stress the need for transparent investigations and accountability for violations of international law, and continue to monitor the extent of damage and casualties to respond swiftly to the crisis.