Ukrainian authorities have reported that a series of missile and UAV attacks were carried out by Russia on multiple cities following an attack on the Crimean bridge, resulting in significant damage.
In the early morning hours of July 18, a series of explosions rocked the southern Ukrainian city of Odessa. The air defense system was activated in response to an airstrike, leading to a state of panic among the residents.
According to witnesses in Odessa, sirens blared around 2 a.m., followed by four powerful explosions. An unidentified object was seen engulfed in flames as it plummeted to the ground, intensifying the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
Oleh Kiper, the head of the Odessa provincial military agency, confirmed that Russia was responsible for the attack, utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). He expressed concerns that further strikes might be forthcoming, warning of the potential for Russia to launch cruise missiles at targets within the city.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian drones were also targeting other provinces, including Mykolaiv, Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk. Additionally, the provinces of Poltava, Cherkasy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkov, and Kirovohrad were identified as being at risk of ballistic missile attacks.
The situation remains tense as Ukrainian authorities assess the extent of the damage and continue to monitor the evolving threat from Russia. The residents of Odessa and other affected areas are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
On July 17, a day after the Crimean bridge, also known as the Kerch bridge, was damaged by a series of explosions, a Russian missile and drone attack took place. This attack resulted in the unfortunate deaths of at least two individuals and left one person seriously injured. Russia swiftly accused Ukraine of carrying out a “terrorist attack” on the Crimean bridge and issued a warning, stating that it would respond appropriately.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, reported on July 17 that the Crimean bridge had been targeted by drone boats. Previously, Western media had cited a source within the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), claiming that the attack on the Crimean bridge was a joint operation conducted by the SBU and the navy, referred to as a “special operation.”
The Crimean Bridge is 19 km long, located on the strait between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, built by Russia after annexing the Crimean peninsula. The bridge was severely damaged after the attack in October 2022.
