Russia keeps striking Kyiv, hitting western Ukrainian cities that were once considered safe.

Russia Intensifies Attacks on Ukraine

On Saturday, Russia launched its fourth significant assault on Ukraine this month, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 civilians in a western city near Kiev. The strikes involved hundreds of drones and missiles, overwhelming the region.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the Kremlin deployed 623 drones and 26 missiles, including a substantial number of Iranian-made Shahed drones. In recent weeks, the Russian military has increasingly utilized these so-called “Kamikaze” drones as part of a new offensive strategy.

Despite Ukrainian forces managing to intercept nearly half of the drones and most of the missiles, the relentless attack created widespread destruction across the war-torn nation.

In Chernivitsky, close to the Romanian border, a 26-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man were killed when debris from a drone struck them, as noted by the regional governor, Ruslan Zapalaniuk.

A local resident, Yeva, shared her terrifying experience: “The fear passed through my whole body, everything was paralyzed, my head was mist. I grabbed the baby—he was just in his diapers—and ran barefoot outside into the parking lot.”

Fires erupted across western cities, targeting homes, office buildings, shops, and vehicles.

In Lviv, near the Polish border, six people, including an 11-year-old boy, suffered injuries during the attacks, according to Governor Maksym Kozytsky.

Officials reported that the Russian drones destroyed 46 residences, university buildings, courthouses, and about 20 commercial structures.

Another resident, Anastasia Yatsenko, expressed her fears, stating, “When I hear the sound of a Sharp drone, it pops out of my chest, like a gunshot followed by an explosion.”

The Russian military continued its offensive against border areas and occupied regions. In southeastern Dnipropetrovsk, three Ukrainians lost their lives as Russia made gains in a village they seized after months of conflict. In the neighboring Zaporia region, two civilians were killed in an attack, as reported by Governor Ivan Fedorov.

In addition, in the Smie area, a guided bomb from Russia resulted in the deaths of four individuals, with another four casualties reported in Donetsk.

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced plans to target defense industry sites in various Ukrainian cities, stating it had recently attacked military airfields.

This uptick in violence follows what’s been described as the deadliest month of the ongoing war, where, according to Ukraine’s UN Human Rights Surveillance Mission, 232 civilians were killed, and 1,343 were wounded just in June.

Experts suggest that this new wave of attacks may reflect a shift in strategy from Putin, as the Kremlin has demonstrated its capability to strike further into western Ukraine without technical difficulties.

President Zelensky emphasized that the pace of Russian assaults necessitates urgent action, suggesting that sanctions could help reduce the threat. He remarked, “We need strict secondary sanctions on everyone assisting Russians in producing drones and profiting from oil.” He further urged that, “This war can only be stopped by strength.”

In other developments, former President Trump announced plans to make a significant statement regarding Russia next week, as the Senate debates new sanctions aimed at Moscow. He has been vocal about enhancing sanctions on Russia and imposing penalties on its energy sector.