At least 17 people were killed in long-range strikes by both Russian and Ukrainian forces on Friday, as the ongoing conflict between the two nations intensifies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that a Russian missile strike near Kyiv resulted in six deaths, with dozens injured. Additionally, five people were killed in Russian aerial bombing in Sloviansk. In response, Ukraine launched drone and missile attacks on Russia, striking a factory in Kirov and warehouses belonging to Russian online retailer Wildberries near Saint Petersburg. The United Nations reports that civilian casualties have increased this summer, with more deaths than in any period since the start of Russia's invasion.
Zelensky stated that the targeted factory in Kirov supplies components for Russian aircraft and missile systems used in attacks on Ukrainian cities. Kirov Governor Alexander Sokolov confirmed the attack, reporting six deaths and 26 injuries. Ukraine's strikes on Russian cities aim to weaken Moscow's war effort and force negotiations. The escalation of the conflict has led to increased civilian casualties, with the UN reporting a 37 percent rise in the first half of this year compared to 2024.
