Olga Gordiienko

On the morning of July 8, Russian forces targeted five Ukrainian cities with over 40 missiles of different types, hitting apartment buildings and public infrastructure while many people were in the streets. The biggest devastations took place in the capital Kyiv. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed the strikes successfully targeted defense plants and military air bases, denying any civilian targets and blaming Ukrainian air defense for the damage. Shortly after the attack, leaders of the Western countries came out with statements, condemning Russian attacks.