On day 1,609 of the conflict, the mayor of Moscow reported that Ukraine deployed more than 400 drones toward the Russian capital. The operation triggered a fire at the Yuzhnye Vrata industrial park, which houses a Wildberries warehouse. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the targeting of Russian logistics facilities and an oil depot in the Moscow region, noting that these sites were selected due to their role in Russia’s war effort. Additionally, Ukrainian forces struck four dry cargo ships and two vessels belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet, which are used to transport sanctioned oil in the Black Sea.
The Institute for the Study of War reported that Russia has increased its use of ballistic missiles in July, exceeding its monthly production capacity. The thinktank noted that Moscow is likely depleting its stockpiles to maintain the campaign, as these weapons demonstrate higher success rates than cruise missiles and drones. Meanwhile, the Astra news outlet identified a fire at an oil depot located 20km south of Moscow in Podolsk.
Casualties continue to mount across Ukraine. A Russian attack on an infrastructure facility in Odesa on Monday resulted in at least three deaths and three injuries. Regional governor Oleh Kiper stated that 28 people have been killed in the Odesa region throughout July, noting that the area has faced constant daily shelling, with some days seeing 13 to 15 air raid alerts. Further fatalities were reported in the eastern cities of Kramatorsk and Pavlograd, as well as in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia.
In the Russian border region of Belgorod, authorities reported that six people were killed on Monday. Acting governor Alexander Shuvaev stated that a Ukrainian drone strike hit a passenger coach, while another incident resulted in the death of a man at a car wash. Ukraine has consistently denied targeting civilians. Simultaneously, Kyiv reported eight deaths following Russian attacks.
Maritime incidents also saw significant loss of life. A cargo vessel sailing under the Guinea Bissau flag was struck by Russian forces on Sunday shortly after departing Odesa, killing 10 crew members, including five Syrians. Eight others were rescued from the ship, which was transporting Ukrainian corn. Separately, India’s foreign ministry confirmed that four Indian nationals were killed and another injured in a strike on the grain-carrying ship MV Golden Leo near Odesa. Ukraine’s navy reported five deaths and five people missing, including a Ukrainian maritime pilot. Syria has condemned the repeated strikes on commercial vessels carrying Syrian crews.
Domestically, speculation surrounds the future of Ukraine's military commander in chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi. Reports suggest he may be removed from his post following the recent sacking of defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov. While Ukraine’s general staff denied these reports, Kyrylo Budanov, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, suggested that public sentiment regarding the leadership changes has been noted and that the situation is being resolved professionally.
The Astra news outlet reported a fire at an oil depot in Podolsk, about 20km (12 miles) south of Moscow. Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, confirmed that Ukrainian forces hit logistics facilities and an oil depot in the Moscow region, adding that Kyiv’s forces also struck two vessels belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet tr
