Russian mass overnight attack hit Ukrainian cities

Explosions shook Ukrainian cities overnight on July 16 as Russia carried out another large-scale aerial assault using drones and missiles. The attack came just a day after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Russia had 50 days to agree to a peace deal or face severe tariffs from Washington.

The Ukrainian Air Force issued multiple alerts throughout the night, warning that waves of Russian drones were heading toward the capital and other regions, including areas in western Ukraine far from the front lines. There was also concern about potential ballistic missile strikes.

In Kharkiv, at least 17 explosions were reported within a span of 20 minutes, according to regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov. The strikes were focused on a civilian enterprise in the city’s Kyivskyi district, where Shahed drones ignited a fire. Initial reports mentioned three injuries in Kharkiv, but a later update confirmed one injured man, aged 54.

Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast also suffered extensive drone attacks that caused significant power outages. A 17-year-old boy was among those injured. President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that energy infrastructure had been targeted and that efforts were underway to fully restore power. He said at least 15 people were injured in the overnight attacks.

In Vinnytsia Oblast, eight people were hospitalized following drone strikes that caused fires at two industrial sites and damaged four residential buildings. One of the targeted facilities was the Barlinek Group factory, a Polish-owned business. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated that the attack appeared intentional and coordinated from three directions, with two people severely burned.

Explosions were also reported in the southern city of Izmail in Odesa Oblast.

According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched 400 drones during the assault, including up to 255 Shahed-type drones and one Iskander-M ballistic missile. Ukrainian defenses intercepted 198 drones, while 145 others were disrupted through electronic warfare. However, the missile and 57 drones reached their targets across 12 locations.

Russia has significantly escalated its aerial campaign against Ukraine in recent months. On July 9, it carried out the largest drone and missile attack since the start of the full-scale war, deploying 728 Shahed-type drones and decoys, seven Kh-101 or Iskander-K cruise missiles, and six Kinzhal ballistic missiles. Zelensky said that in the week leading up to July 13, Russia had launched more than 1,800 long-range drones, over 1,200 glide bombs, and 83 missiles.

Following the latest strikes, Zelensky reiterated the urgent need for stronger air defense capabilities, calling for more systems, more interceptors, and greater resolve in confronting Russian aggression.

Russian attack injured 5, including emergency workers in Nikopol

Overnight on July 17, Russian drones struck the city of Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, injuring five people, including three emergency workers, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service.

The attack began when first-person-view (FPV) drones hit a cargo truck, sparking a fire and injuring two civilians — a man and a woman. As emergency responders arrived and began working at the scene, a second drone strike targeted them directly, wounding three emergency workers, who were subsequently hospitalized. The condition of the two civilians has not yet been disclosed.

Ukraine’s Air Force had issued warnings around 1:45 a.m. local time, signaling the approach of hostile drones toward the region.

This type of attack — known as a "double-tap" — is a recurring Russian tactic, deliberately striking once and then targeting first responders who arrive at the scene, often increasing civilian and emergency personnel casualties.

Nikopol, situated along the banks of the destroyed Kakhovka Reservoir and opposite the Russian-occupied Enerhodar and Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, remains a frequent target of drone and artillery attacks.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov recently revealed that Russian forces are attempting to establish a buffer zone extending up to 10 kilometers into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. This effort appears to be part of Russia’s broader strategy of intensifying drone warfare while trying to expand territorial control beyond the current front lines.

Ukraine appointed a new special envoy to the US

On July 17, President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna as Ukraine’s new special envoy to the United States. According to Zelensky, Stefanishyna will be responsible for maintaining the momentum in U.S.-Ukraine relations while formal procedures are underway to approve her as the next Ukrainian ambassador in Washington.

Stefanishyna is an experienced diplomat and a key figure in Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration efforts. Since 2020, she has held senior positions in government, currently serving as Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. In 2024, she also briefly held the post of Justice Minister.

Her appointment comes at a pivotal time, as U.S. President Donald Trump recently warned that Russia has 50 days to agree to a peace deal or face severe tariffs from the United States.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed earlier this month that Ukraine plans to rotate its current ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, noting that despite her success in Washington, diplomatic rotations are routine. He added that about 20 new ambassadorial appointments are planned as part of a broader diplomatic refresh aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s presence in key countries, especially within the G7 and G20.

In a related development on the same day, Ukraine’s parliament confirmed Yuliia Svyrydenko as the country’s new prime minister in a significant cabinet reshuffle. Svyrydenko, 39, is an economist who previously served as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy. She replaces Denys Shmyhal, who led the government for five years.

Germany denies its knowledge of Patriot missiles en route to Ukraine, which contradicts Trump's claim

Germany’s Defense Ministry has denied knowledge of any Patriot missile systems currently being shipped to Ukraine, contradicting a statement made by U.S. President Donald Trump, Swiss broadcaster SRF reported on July 16.

"I cannot confirm that anything is currently on the way. That is not known to me," a ministry spokesperson said. A virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group is planned for July 21 to address unresolved issues and work on speeding up the delivery of Patriot systems.

Trump had told reporters at Joint Base Andrews that Patriot missiles were already en route to Ukraine, coming from Germany under a NATO-coordinated arrangement, with the U.S. being reimbursed in full.

Ukraine has repeatedly urged its allies for more air defense systems in response to increasing Russian missile and drone strikes. While Germany previously confirmed that talks were ongoing with European partners to send at least three more Patriot systems, there has been no official confirmation of shipments having begun.

The new weapons initiative comes shortly after Trump warned that the U.S. would impose severe tariffs on Russia unless it agrees to a peace deal within 50 days.

Russia dropped a 500-kg bomb on a shopping mall in Donetsk Oblast — killing 2, injuring 28

Russian forces dropped a 500-kilogram aerial bomb on the city of Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast on July 16, killing at least two people and injuring 28 others, according to regional officials. The strike hit a shopping center in the city center, damaging over 50 shops, more than 300 apartments, and several vehicles. A fire broke out at the scene, and emergency crews responded.

President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, describing it as senseless Russian terror with no military justification and extended condolences to the victims' families.

The strike comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russia to agree to a peace deal or face severe tariffs. Previous deadlines set by Trump — ranging from 24 hours to 100 days — have failed to stop Russian attacks, which continue to inflict heavy civilian casualties.