This is considered one of the largest drone strikes since the beginning of the conflict in the city, with about 400 drones and a missile used.
According to information from the Ukrainian Air Force, the force intercepted or disabled at least 345 of the above-mentioned aircraft. The airstrikes caused damage in many localities, including Odesa, Kharkiv, Vinnytsia and Kryvyi Rih on July 16.
The city of Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine was targeted as the "most intense attack since the beginning of the conflict," according to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the local military government. He said the attack caused widespread fires and caused power outages and water shortages in some areas of the city.
Mr Zelensky confirmed that Russia had targeted the energy infrastructure system at Kryvyi Rih, injuring 15 people. In a message posted on social network X, he emphasized the urgent need to strengthen air defense systems, increase intercept equipment and affirmed that Ukraine needs systematic action to deal with these repeated attacks.
In Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the city was attacked 16 times in just 14 minutes. In Vinnytsia, 8 people were injured and 2 infrastructure facilities caught fire due to the attack. In the previous 24 hours, three people were killed in Ukraine, including one in the Sumy region due to shelling and two in Kharkiv. A total of 38 people were injured nationwide during this period.
The airstrikes continued on July 17. At least two people were killed and 27 injured when a shopping mall in Dobropillya was hit by a missile. Donetsk region Governor Vadym Filashkin said the total damage included 54 retail stores, 304 apartments and 8 cars.
Amid escalating tensions, the Ukrainian parliament has approved an additional 400 billion hryvnia ($9.6 million) to security forces, according to former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. At the same time, the parliament also approved an increase in spending on defense equipment and machinery.
The latest developments from Russia come just days after US President Donald Trump announced a new arms aid package for Ukraine, including the patriot missile system transferred to NATO. Trump has also threatened to impose secondary tariffs on countries that continue to buy oil from Russia a move that shows a tougher economic stance on Moscow.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is closely monitoring long-range missile transfers from the West. Mr. Peskov called Mr. Trump's threat of sanctions "very serious" and revealed that the US President directly mentioned his Russian counterpart in the announcement.
Mr. Peskov warned that decisions made in Washington, in NATO countries and directly from Brussels will not be seen by Ukraine as a signal for peace, but a sign to continue the conflict.
