Massive Russian attack: Ballistic missiles target Dnipro and Poltava, drones enter from north
Illustrative photo: Russian forces launch a massive attack on Ukraine with drones and missiles (Getty Images)
On the evening of July 18, Russian forces launched a combined attack on Ukraine. Alongside ballistic missile launches targeting Dnipro and Poltava, enemy drones are approaching from the north.
RBC-Ukraine has gathered the key facts about the massive attack.
Key questions
- Where did the ballistic missiles strike?
- What is known about the initial consequences?
- Where is there a threat of Russian Shahed drone attacks?
Poltava
After 7:30 p.m. Kyiv time, the Russian army launched a series of high-speed attacks. Explosions were first heard in the Poltava area.
Updated at 9:00 p.m.
Acting head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration, Volodymyr Kohut, confirmed a ballistic attack on the Poltava community.
"Fragments of an enemy missile fell in an open area. Fortunately, there were no casualties. Until the all-clear is given for the air raid alert, remain in shelters," he wrote.
Dnipro
Around the same time, the enemy launched a ballistic missile toward Pavlohrad in the Dnipropetrovsk region. According to monitoring channels, it may have disappeared from radars as early as over Donetsk region. There is no official information yet.
Then, at least two ballistic missiles were launched from the occupied territory of Crimea toward Dnipro. Local social media initially reported one explosion, then later — multiple.
Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, Serhii Lysak, stated that a series of explosions were heard in Dnipro. He urged residents to stay in shelters until the all-clear is given.
Where the Shahed drones are being detected
Alongside the ballistic missile strikes, the Russian forces launched several groups of strike drones. As of now, drones are being detected over the Sumy and Chernihiv regions. A threat of strikes has been announced for the city of Chernihiv.
In addition, one group is moving toward the Kyiv region.
It should be noted that as of 8:35 p.m., the Air Forces announced an all-clear regarding the threat of ballistic missiles for Kyiv and several regions.
However, at 8:43 p.m., a ballistic threat was re-announced for southern Ukraine.
Recall that earlier, aviation expert Valeriy Romanenko told RBC-Ukraine that the Russian forces would likely avoid mass strikes while U.S. President’s special envoy Keith Kellogg was on an official visit to Kyiv.
It has since become known that he left Ukraine as early as Wednesday.
