Kyiv targeted by one of Russia's largest-ever ballistic attacks of the war

Herz — Business Desk · 19 July 2026 at 14:11 · 30s summary · 4 min read

What we know

On the night of July 18-19, 2026, Russia struck Kyiv with over 40 ballistic missiles of various types and 120 attack drones, according to the Handelsblatt citing a dpa news agency journalist on the ground. Dozens of explosions were heard in the center of the capital, which has a population of three million.

Ukrainian air defense recorded 23 missile impacts and 10 drone impacts — with the majority of projectiles intercepted. The attack killed 1 person and wounded 16 in Kyiv, according to Zelensky.

Simultaneous strikes hit a suburb of Kharkiv in the country's east: 3 dead and 16 wounded were reported by local authorities.

Damage in Kyiv and the region

Multiple homes and vehicles were destroyed. Fires broke out in several Kyiv neighborhoods according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. A metro station had to cease operations.

In the Kyiv region, the attack completely destroyed a factory producing protective equipment for soldiers and one of the country's largest logistics centers.

Ukrainian reactions

President Zelensky called the attack "one of the most massive ballistic attacks against Kyiv." Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called it "brutal terror" on the social network X, adding that Russia had used the largest number of ballistic missiles against the capital since the start of the war.

Protection against ballistic missiles is an absolute and permanent priority.

— Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine

Zelensky indicated that Ukraine lacks interceptor missiles for the Patriot system, which he describes as essential for defense against ballistic projectiles, and that interceptors are needed every day. Both he and Sybiha called on the West to urgently deliver these weapons.

This week in numbers

In the week preceding July 19, 2026, Russia used approximately 1,450 drones, over 1,640 glide bombs, and 99 missiles and cruise missiles against Ukraine, according to figures released by Zelensky.