Russia launched coordinated missile and drone strikes across multiple Ukrainian cities on July 11 and 12, targeting Kyiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Kharkiv [1, 2, 3, 4]. The attacks involved around a dozen ballistic and cruise missiles and more than 120 drones [1, 2, 3, 4]. These strikes killed at least eight civilians, including an 11-year-old boy and a young girl in Sumy, and wounded dozens more [1, 2, 3, 4].

Kyiv experienced multiple fire outbreaks and damage to civilian infrastructure such as schools, offices, and residential buildings during the attacks [1, 2, 3, 4]. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, "Civilian infrastructure was hit even before the air raid alert was issued. Our defenders managed to shoot down most of the targets, but not the ballistic ones," highlighting critical gaps in Ukraine's air defence network [2]. He called on allies to speed up delivery of air defence munitions, stressing, "Agreements reached by national leaders must be implemented much more quickly and completely" [1].

Despite Ukraine's air defences downing most drones and some missiles, Russia's ballistic missiles caused significant infrastructure damage [1, 2, 3, 4]. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that around 340 Ukrainian drones were sent toward Moscow in a 24-hour period around mid-July, with air defences intercepting the majority, including over 50 on approach to the city [5]. On July 13, Ukrainian drone strikes killed at least 3 people and wounded several in the Moscow region, targeting energy infrastructure, while shooting down 81 drones [6, 7].

Between July 15 and 16, several Russian regions including Yaroslavl, Saratov, and Bryansk reported casualties from Ukrainian drone and rocket strikes focused on energy and military sites [6].

Meanwhile, Russia accused Ukraine of terrorism after Ukrainian drones attacked vessels in the Sea of Azov, hitting 116 Russian ships over nine days. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described Ukraine's attacks as "terrorism, pure and simple," stating, "What the Ukrainian regime is doing goes beyond even piracy" [8]. Ukrainian officials deny targeting civilian ships and say their strikes focus only on military or dual-use infrastructure to limit Russian combat capabilities and fuel income [8]. Robert Brovdi of Ukraine's military said the targeted vessels included five tankers, five dry cargo vessels, and a tugboat [8].

The July 11-12 Russian attacks and subsequent drone strikes on Russian territory underscore the intensifying cross-border conflict. Ukrainian officials continue pressing allies for faster weapons deliveries to bolster air defences against missile attacks.