On the night of 19 July, the Russian army attacked Ukraine with Kalibr, Oniks, Kh-22, Kh-59 cruise missiles and attack drones.
The main target of the attack was Odesa Region, the Air Force has said.
"On the night of 19 July 2023, the Russian invaders attacked Ukraine from the south, using air-, land- and sea-launched cruise missiles, as well as Iranian Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs. Critical infrastructure and military facilities were attacked, with the main focus of the attack being on Odesa Region," it said.
The attack came in several waves:
- 16 Kalibr cruise missiles, presumably from the Ingushetia small missile ship and the Admiral Essen frigate from the Black Sea
- eight Kh-22 cruise missiles from Tu-22M3 long-range aircraft from the Black Sea
- six Oniks cruise missiles from the Bastion coastal missile system (Crimea)
- an Kh-59 guided missile from a Su-35 fighter jet from the Black Sea
- 32 Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs from the Chauda training ground (Crimea) and Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Krasnodar Territory).
As a result of combat operations, Ukraine's air defences destroyed 37 air targets:
- 13 Kalibr cruise missiles
- Kh-59 guided missile
- 23 Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs.
Strikes by Kh-22 and Oniks missiles were directed at the infrastructure of Odesa.
Russia has been attacking Odesa Region after unilaterally withdrawing from the Grain from Ukraine initiative. Yesterday, the Russians targeted the port infrastructure.
However, the attacks on the region and ports took place even when Russia did not announce that it was withdrawing from its commitments.