Ukraine: Three dead as Russia intensifies attacks on Odesea

Thank you for joining us as we bring you the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

First, let’s take a look at what happened on Tuesday, when Russia launched another major attack on Kyiv, firing ballistic missiles and drones at the Ukrainian capital.

Air defenses intercepted five ballistic missiles, but other weapons struck the city, damaging warehouses and a school and starting fires in at least two districts.

Ukraine, meanwhile, carried out long-range drone attacks on two Russian oil refineries.

One strike targeted an industrial facility in Salavat, in the republic of Bashkortostan, more than 1,400 kilometers from the front. Russian officials reported fires and smoke but said there were no casualties.

At sea, Ukraine said it struck tankers and cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov, in the latest strikes on Russian commercial shipping. Moscow’s Agriculture Ministry said “alternative shipping routes” were being sought.

In Paris, around 500 troops from countries belonging to the “Coalition of the Willing” marched in the annual Bastille Day parade.

Ukrainian troops were cheered along the Champs-Elysees, while Ukrainian and French pilots flew Mirage 2000B fighter jets overhead. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders.

The display followed a summit at which Ukraine and nine partner countries announced plans to develop a shared European shield against ballistic missiles, as Kyiv seeks additional protection from intensifying Russian attacks.

Ukraine also entered a period of political change after parliament approved Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko’s resignation. President Zelenskyy ordered the government reshuffle, saying Ukraine needed to adjust its political strategy to meet new challenges. He had not yet named her replacement.