Air Raid in Ukraine 31.07.2024: Russian Attack with Drones and Missiles

The Russian Federation launched strikes against Ukraine using attack drones and missiles. Air defense systems were activated in several regions of the country.

Air Attack with “Shaheds”

On the night of July 31, 2024, Russia launched attack drones that crossed the Ukrainian border via Sumy Oblast. Reports indicate that the “Shaheds” flew through the Konotop and Okhtyrka districts and were spotted over the city of Sumy, where air defense systems were activated. There were also warnings of possible drone attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions. Later, new groups of “Shaheds” were detected in the Sumy and Chernihiv regions.

Missile Threat

In addition to the drone attacks, the Ukrainian Air Force reported a threat of missile strikes. The Kyiv City Military Administration clarified that the air raid alert in Kyiv and the Kyiv region was related to the potential use of ballistic weaponry. Powerful explosions were recorded in Kyiv and Bila Tserkva. However, the KMVA later denied information about explosions or the activation of air defense systems in the capital.

Monitoring channels reported that by midnight, five Tu-95 aircraft had taken off from the Olenya airfield, potentially reaching launch positions in the Saratov region by 2:30 and the Caspian Sea by 3:30. If this scenario unfolds, Russian missiles could approach the Ukrainian border between 3:00 and 4:30.

Additionally, three missile carriers were spotted In The Black Sea, carrying up to 12 Kalibr cruise missiles.

What is the Tu-22M Aircraft?

The Tu-22M, known under the NATO code name “Backfire,” is a Soviet and Russian long-range supersonic bomber with variable-sweep wings. This aircraft is capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Latest Events: Strikes on Ukraine 31.07.2024

On July 24, Russia struck Kharkiv using S-300 missiles, targeting an industrial area and a residential sector of the city. On July 18, powerful explosions occurred in Odesa, where Iskander-M ballistic missiles were reported to have been used. Ukrainian air defense managed to shoot down an enemy missile over the Odesa region.

The aggressor country Russia continues to attack Ukraine using missiles and drones. Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykola Oleshchuk reported that all drones and two out of three missiles were shot down, with most targets destroyed in the eastern direction under the responsibility of the “East” air command.