At least 21 people were killed in a series of long-range strikes by both Ukraine and Russia on Friday, July 24, 2026, as the four-and-a-half-year war shows no signs of abating. The attacks targeted military and civilian sites deep within both countries, escalating tensions further.
Part 1: Immediate Action & Core Facts
Ukrainian Strikes on Russia
Ukrainian forces launched multiple drone and missile attacks on Russian targets, including warehouses belonging to the e-commerce giant Wildberries near Saint Petersburg. The strikes triggered fires and sent smoke over the historic city, according to local officials. Wildberries confirmed that two logistics facilities in Saint Petersburg and one in Simferopol, Crimea, were hit. The company reported no casualties, but regional authorities stated three people were wounded in the Leningrad region. This was the third attack on Wildberries facilities in six days.
Ukrainian officials have accused Wildberries of storing drone parts and supporting the Russian military, justifying the strikes as retaliation for Russia's nightly attacks on Ukrainian cities. Kyiv has also targeted other Russian energy, military, and logistics sites in recent weeks.
Russian Strikes on Ukraine
In Ukraine, a Russian missile strike outside Kyiv killed at least 10 people and wounded around 100, according to Ukrainian prosecutors. The attack targeted an arms exhibition attended by defense industry figures, prompting Ukrainian authorities to open a criminal probe into the organization of the event. Russian forces also struck the frontline city of Sloviansk, killing five people and damaging Latvia's honorary consulate there.
Part 2: Deeper Dive & Context
Escalation of Attacks
Both sides have intensified their use of long-range drones and missiles as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled. Russia claimed to have shot down 571 drones overnight across more than a dozen regions, including Crimea, marking one of the largest one-night barrages of the war.
Economic Warfare
The strikes on Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, have disrupted the lives of ordinary Russians and intensified Ukraine's campaign of economic warfare. Previous attacks on Russian refineries have caused fuel shortages and long lines at gas stations across the country.
Political Responses
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the Russian strikes, stating that Russia has abandoned international norms and human values. He emphasized that Russia's only interest is in continuing the killing. Meanwhile, Russian officials have not publicly commented on the Ukrainian strikes beyond acknowledging the attacks on Wildberries facilities.
Long-Term Implications
The escalation of attacks deep into both countries suggests a prolonged conflict with no immediate resolution in sight. The targeting of civilian infrastructure and economic hubs raises concerns about the humanitarian impact and the potential for further destabilization in the region.