Russian strikes kill 28 in Ukraine’s Odessa region in July as war with Ukraine intensifies

Russian strikes have killed 28 people in Ukraine’s southern Odessa region since the beginning of July, regional governor Oleh Kiper said on Monday.

“The Odessa region has been under constant daily shelling since the beginning of July. There were days when 13 to 15 air raid alerts were announced in the region,” Kiper told Ukrainian television.

More than four years into the war, the front lines remain largely static as Russia and Ukraine continue to strike each other’s cities, energy infrastructure and maritime assets.

Ukraine launches major drone attack

On July 19, Ukraine launched more than 400 drones overnight at the Moscow region, extending its attacks deeper into Russian territory.

Kiev has stepped up strikes inside Russia in recent months, describing them as retaliation for more than four years of Russian attacks on Ukraine.

A fire was reported at a warehouse belonging to Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, in the nearby town of Kolyedino. Monitoring channels said one of the company’s fulfilment centres had been hit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the operation, saying Kiev had struck logistics facilities and an oil depot in the Moscow region, more than 400 kilometres (248 miles) from Ukraine’s border.