Russia’s weapons pounding Ukraine tonight: Shahed drones, Kalibr and Kinzhal missiles
Air defense systems active across many cities amid Russian attacks (Photo: Getty Images)
On the night of July 21, Russia is carrying out a combined attack on Ukraine. The enemy launched Shahed drones, Kalibr cruise missiles, and Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles against the country.
RBC-Ukraine has compiled the main known facts as of now.
Starting from the evening of Sunday, July 20, Russian strike drones began to be detected in Ukraine’s airspace. Initially, they flew over the Zaporizhzhia and Sumy regions, but their numbers soon increased.
By 1:45 a.m. Kyiv time, it was already known that explosions were heard in Kyiv and Kharkiv amid the Shahed drone attacks.
At 11:44 p.m., the Ukrainian Air Force warned of the takeoff of Tu-95 strategic bombers from the Olenya airbase in Russia’s Murmansk region. The flight was likely a combat mission, with monitoring channels reporting launch maneuvers.
It’s important to note that the Tu-95MS aircraft are carriers of Kh-101, Kh-555, and Kh-55 missiles.
In addition, the enemy launched MiG-31K fighter jets into the air three times; these jets carry Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles. The first takeoff was recorded at 12:23 a.m., the second at 2:50 a.m., and the third at 3:34 a.m. After the first takeoff, an explosion was heard in Kyiv, but it was likely the sound of a missile launch, not a direct hit.
Some channels reported an impact in Irpin, but no official confirmation has been given.
Also, at 2:18 a.m., the military recorded launches of Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea. These missiles flew from the south, heading toward western Ukraine. According to the latest data, they were detected in the Ternopil region.
This information was sourced from the Ukrainian Air Force’s Telegram channel.
