Kyiv and Moscow – July 21, 2025
An increasingly violent escalation took place overnight as Russia launched an unprecedented barrage of missiles and drones against Ukraine while Kyiv responded with drone attacks targeting Moscow airports, creating widespread disruptions.
Ukraine Under Siege: Missile & Drone Blitz According to reports by Ukrainian military authorities, Russia launched over 400 drones and 24 missiles overnight as part of an intensive missile and drone bombardment, targeting essential infrastructure throughout Ukraine, according to AP News +15
The Sun. These attacks targeted vital facilities across Ukraine including critical banking infrastructure as reported by The Sun +15 +15. For Global Banking | Finance News Updates, go here and here
explosions rocked Kyiv, Kharkiv and Ivano-Frankivsk on Tuesday morning, sending residents fleeing into shelters in panic. One civilian died and 15 others including one 12-year-old were injured with property damage reported at kindergartens, shops, commercial properties residential buildings as well as even metro entrances (Reuters/ New York Post/).
Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that rescue and emergency teams were actively present across four city districts of Kiev. LBC +3; Reuters +3 | The Sun
Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted most of the salvo and downed numerous drones and missile threats; however, debris and shockwaves still caused considerable damage – according to Facebook, Reuters and The Sun (and others).
Russian military claims vary slightly regarding numbers, yet the intensity of attack remains evident.
Timing was also noteworthy: the attack came hours before a high-level NATO virtual meeting, co-chaired by Germany and Britain, dedicated to strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities – possibly through delivery of Patriot missile system deliveries (The Sun, AP News).
Kyiv Drone Strikes Jam Moscow Airspace
In a dramatic response, Ukraine launched drone attacks against Moscow for five consecutive nights. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting approximately 117 Ukrainian drones, 30 of which over the Moscow region, while 27 over Russia as per Facebook +15 The Sun +15 Global Banking | Finance
Even with their interceptions, drones caused significant disruptions at Moscow airports: Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky all experienced flight halts or temporary shutdowns leading to hundreds of cancellations and delays (Reuters +5
The Sun @ Global Banking | Finance).
Videos circulated across Russian media showing thousands of passengers sleeping on floors or waiting in makeshift lines amidst airport chaos are now widely seen, underscoring Ukraine’s growing reach into Russia’s civilian infrastructure.
What This Escalation Signifies
Conflict Escalates: Russia’s overnight wave mirrors previous massive attacks – for instance the drone and missile raids that crippled energy grids and claimed numerous lives between mid-June and mid-August (sources: Reuters +15Wikipedia +The Sun +15).
NATO pressure mounts: Russian strikes ahead of an upcoming NATO meeting highlight Kyiv’s urgent need for advanced air-defense systems, according to AP News.
Ukraine Expanding Drone Capabilities Kyiv’s drone campaign continues to increase in sophistication, now capable of jamming Moscow and interfering with transportation hubs–an increase from earlier strikes, according to Global Banking | Finance at Reuters and The Sun.
Broader Context and Path Forward This increase in aerial warfare reflects a wider escalation after failed peace efforts such as Istanbul negotiations failed and civilian casualty rates worsened on both sides. According to Wikipedia.
Ukrainian President Zelensky issued a similar plea, in parallel diplomatic negotiations, calling for increased peace talks and military aid (The Guardian/AP News).
NATO is facing mounting pressure to expedite confirmed weapons deliveries. Germany recently agreed to fund two Patriot air-defense batteries while Switzerland prioritized U.S. ordered systems as essential measures following this unprecedented wave of attacks, according to AP News reports.
This night’s twin offensives provide a stark reminder that this war has transitioned into an escalated technological and civilian-targeted conflict, with missiles being fired on Ukraine from Russian skies while missiles rain down upon Ukrainian cities from Ukrainian ones, leading to airport chaos, damaged infrastructure and panicked citizens – underscoring the critical need for increased defense measures and diplomatic engagement with allies in Ukraine and Russia alike.