Summary of key events on day 1,251 of the Russo-Ukrainian War.
As of Tuesday, July 29, here’s the situation on the ground:
Military Engagements
- In Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, a Russian drone attack on a 25-story residential complex wounded eight individuals, including a young child, as stated by Kyiv’s military administration chief, Tymur Tkachenko.
- Globally, the overnight assault involved a total of “324 drones, four cruise missiles, and three ballistic missiles,” targeting locations across Ukraine, with a particular focus on Starokostiantyniv, known for its critical air base, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
- Ukraine’s military reports downing 309 drones and two missiles, while 15 drones and two missiles successfully struck targets in three different locations; however, specific details on these areas have not been disclosed. A fire ignited in Kropyvnytskyi, central Ukraine, but fortunately, no casualties were reported.
- Russia’s Ministry of Defense asserts that the strike hit a Ukrainian air base and an ammunition depot storing missiles and drone components.
- In response to Russian projectiles reaching western Ukraine, close to the Polish border, Polish and allied aircraft were mobilized to secure Polish airspace, confirmed by the Polish army’s Operational Command.
- In eastern Ukraine, Russian forces have seized control of the settlements of Boikivka and Belhiika, as per the Russian Defense Ministry.
- The cyber domain saw action as well, with pro-Ukraine hacking groups claiming responsibility for a significant cyberattack on Russia’s national carrier, Aeroflot, leading to the cancellation of over 50 flights and disrupting domestic travel.
Politics and International Relations
- US President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum, giving Russia a “10 or 12-day” window to conclude the conflict in Ukraine or face severe new sanctions, according to this report.
- Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Trump for his stand, thanking him for prioritizing the cessation of hostilities and the saving of lives.
- Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian President, decried a recently negotiated trade deal between the EU and US as “anti-Russian,” likening it to an implicit prohibition on purchasing Russian oil and gas, in this breakdown.
Arms and Military Support
- Andrius Kubilius, the EU’s defense and space commissioner, announced that countries outside the EU, including Ukraine, could access the EU’s secure communication satellite network, IRIS², as reported on Euractiv. This marks a shift from reliance on Elon Musk’s Starlink for Ukraine’s military communications.
- Kyiv Independent reports that Ukraine’s Defence Procurement Agency has ramped up the production of domestic weaponry, with more than 71 percent of its procurement in the first half of 2025 originating from within the country.
