Russia launched numerous missiles and drones into Ukraine for a second consecutive day, with some being intercepted by Western-provided F-16 fighter jets, as stated by Ukraine’s president. The attacks resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals and severe damage to structures and infrastructure across several Ukrainian regions, leading to power outages amid hot weather conditions.
Following the bombings, Ukraine’s military disclosed the Russian regions and occupied territories from where the weapons were launched. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has persistently urged the United States to lift restrictions, enabling Ukraine to target Russian military infrastructure contributing to the conflict.
In a notable development, Ukraine deployed F-16s to intercept a missile, marking the aircraft’s alleged first use for this purpose. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the support but noted the insufficient number of jets and trained pilots available. The Ukrainian army reported gaining control of a significant area in the Kursk region, along with taking numerous Russian prisoners in their operation.
With concerns escalating about potential risks to the Kursk nuclear power plant, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s chief labeled the situation as “serious” and condemned any threats to such facilities. Despite drone attacks on the plant, it reportedly continues to operate normally.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed significant Ukrainian casualties and military losses in the Kursk region, a claim that couldn’t be independently verified. The ongoing conflict has led to numerous evacuations and raised questions about potential impacts on Russia’s military positions in Ukrainian territory.
Following the attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, President Joe Biden criticized the actions and announced a shift in U.S. air defense exports to prioritize Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported downing Ukrainian missiles in the Kursk region during the attacks.
The escalated military confrontation has sparked international concern, with efforts underway to alleviate the crisis and mitigate further damage in the conflict-stricken regions.
