Russia in July 2026: the most important developments in security
In Russia in July 2026 the war with Ukraine was fought increasingly by drones and missiles against cities, energy sites and shipping on both sides. Russia stepped up its use of jet-powered drones that outpace Ukrainian interceptors. In the deadliest attack on Kyiv this year, on July 2 and 3, between 27 and 30 people were killed. A further strike on July 6, just before the NATO summit, killed between 14 and 24 people in the capital. On July 19 Russia carried out its largest ballistic missile attack on Kyiv since the war began, hitting Kharkiv as well and destroying a military equipment factory. On July 30 a Russian missile and drone attack killed at least eight people in Ukraine; debris fell in Poland, and Prime Minister Donald Tusk said a Russian missile had entered Polish airspace. Russia claimed the capture of Kostiantynivka on July 4, which Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied.
Ukraine struck Russian territory on a widening scale. Refinery attacks, including a strike over about 3,000 kilometres on an Omsk refinery, coincided with fuel shortages in Russia. On July 7 Russia reported more than 430 drones aimed at Moscow, the largest such attack in two years, and on July 20 Ukraine sent over 400 drones toward the city, causing fires at oil storage sites. On July 18 drone attacks killed at least eight people and wounded more than 60 in several Russian regions, and Ukraine repeatedly hit warehouses of the retailer Wildberries, including one near Saint Petersburg on July 24. It also claimed strikes on dozens of vessels in the Azov and Black Seas and a Tu-95 bomber at Engels airbase.
Russia's security services were also active. On July 29 Russia charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism and issued an arrest warrant, and the FSB accused Kyiv of using Telegram to coordinate arson attacks. Zelenskyy said Russia was preparing to receive 30,000 more North Korean troops, and reports said Russia was planning a mobilisation of 500,000, which Dmitry Medvedev dismissed on July 28.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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