In the early hours of July 21, Russia launched a massive combined missile strike against Kyiv, damaging residential buildings, a kindergarten, and other civilian sites. Moscow continues to falsely claim these are precise attacks on military targets, blaming Ukrainian air defenses for civilian casualties.
Civilian terror as a deliberate strategy to break resistance
The real objective of these strikes is to terrorize Ukraine’s population, aiming to crush public will and force Kyiv into capitulation. This tactic highlights Moscow’s intent to pressure Ukraine beyond the battlefield.
Ukraine’s response and international implications
Kyiv is intensifying its defense efforts while seeking to strengthen international sanctions and political pressure on Russia. The Ukrainian leadership stresses that only sustained external pressure can compel Russia to halt the war and engage in genuine diplomatic negotiations.
Context of ongoing conflict and strategic stakes
This latest wave of attacks underscores the continued brutality of the conflict and the risks to civilian populations in major cities. It also reflects the persistent challenges in achieving a ceasefire without robust international involvement.
