The Russia-Ukraine war has entered its 1,250th day, with continued attacks, military escalations, and political developments on both sides. Monday, July 28, brought fresh strikes, casualties, and high-level diplomatic responses, as Russia intensified aerial assaults while Ukraine launched its own drone counterattacks.
Russian Strikes Hit Kyiv and Eastern Ukraine
Russian forces launched an early morning assault on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, injuring five people and damaging a residential building, according to Kyiv’s military administration chief, Tymur Tkachenko. In the Sumy region, near the Russian border, a Russian drone struck a civilian bus transporting 39 evacuees. The attack killed three and wounded 19 others, regional officials reported.
Over the weekend, two civilians died in a landmine explosion in Sumy’s Esman community. In the heavily contested Donetsk region, two additional people were killed in separate Russian attacks, bringing the nationwide death toll from the past 24 hours to at least six.
Ukrainian Drones Target Russia’s Leningrad Region
In a significant counterstrike, Ukrainian drones targeted areas around St Petersburg. The governor of Leningrad, Alexander Drozdenko, said Russian forces downed at least 10 unmanned aircraft. Debris from the interception injured a civilian woman.
As a result of the drone assault, St Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport temporarily shut down operations. According to flight trackers, 57 flights were delayed and 22 diverted. The Kremlin confirmed that its annual Navy Day parade in St Petersburg was cancelled for security reasons. However, President Vladimir Putin observed naval drills from the city’s naval command center. The exercises included 150 vessels and 15,000 military personnel operating across the Pacific, Arctic, Baltic, and Caspian seas.
Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that a total of 291 Ukrainian drones were intercepted on Sunday, though this number remains below the record 524 drones downed on May 7, just before Russia’s Victory Day celebrations.
European Leaders Pressure Ukraine on Anti-Corruption Measures
On the diplomatic front, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to maintain the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions. The call followed controversy over a parliamentary vote to revoke the autonomy of two oversight agencies.
“Ukraine has already achieved a lot on its European path,” von der Leyen posted on X. “It must build on these solid foundations and preserve independent anti-corruption bodies, which are cornerstones of Ukraine’s rule of law.”
Zelenskyy responded by submitting new legislation aimed at restoring independence to the affected institutions. He acknowledged the importance of adopting the bill promptly and emphasized continued cooperation with EU officials.
Russia Resumes Flights to North Korea
In a separate development, Russia resumed commercial air travel to North Korea for the first time in decades. The inaugural flight from Moscow to Pyongyang departed on Sunday at 16:25 GMT, according to Sheremetyevo Airport’s website. Russia’s Ministry of Transport confirmed the route will be serviced monthly.
Austria Reconsiders NATO Neutrality
Austria’s Foreign Minister, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, stated in an interview with the German outlet Welt that her country is ready to discuss a potential shift in its long-held neutrality. She called for a “national debate” about NATO membership, signaling a possible realignment of Austria’s defense posture amid growing regional tensions.
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