Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported impacts and damage in at least four parts of the city.Image: keystone
The Ukrainian capital Kiev has been massively attacked with ballistic missiles by the Russian military. Russia is now reporting attacks on logistics centers.
July 19, 2026, 02:16July 19, 2026, 9:42 am
Dozens of explosions, some from anti-aircraft missiles, could be heard during the night in the center of the city of three million people, a reporter on site reported. President Volodymyr Zelenskyj spoke of “one of the most massive ballistic attacks on Kiev” and of one dead and 16 injured.
“The enemy fired over 40 missiles of various types, most of which were aimed at the capital, as well as 120 attack drones,” Zelensky said on Telegram. Authorities reported that several houses and cars were destroyed.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko provided information about impacts and damage in several parts of the city. There were fires. According to Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense, 23 missile strikes and 10 drone strikes were recorded. Accordingly, a large part of the flying objects were destroyed.
Zelensky: Missile defense is a priority
Ukraine has been resisting the Russian invasion for more than four years. With Western help, especially from Germany, the anti-aircraft defense system was modernized. Recently, however, Kiev complained about a lack of missiles for the Patriot air defense system to defend against ballistic missiles.
“Protection against ballistic missiles is currently a constant and top priority,” said Zelensky. “Interceptor missiles are needed every day.” He called on the country’s allies to deliver the promised missile defense systems. “These deliveries literally mean lives saved in every massive Russian attack.” In total, Russia deployed around 1,450 drones, more than 1,640 glide bombs and 99 rockets and cruise missiles this week.
Russia reports attacks on logistics centers
The Russian Defense Ministry said that a large postal logistics center for storing weapons components and several factories producing rocket components in Kiev were the targets of the attacks. A center for the storage and distribution of elements for the production of long-range drones was hit in the Kiev region. This information could not be independently verified.
The port infrastructure in the south on the Black Sea was also attacked again, the ministry in Moscow said. In the Odessa area, facilities for storing military goods and fuel depots used by the armed forces were attacked. Ukraine – like Russia – does not publish information on damage to objects used for military purposes. (sda/dpa)