Russia floods Ukraine with 1,270 drones and nearly 1,000 bombs in a week—“We need air defense now,” Zelenskyy says

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that over the past week, Russia launched around 1,270 attack drones, 39 missiles, and nearly 1,000 guided aerial bombs. He shared the update on 7 July, emphasizing the ongoing threat to civilians and the need for air defense.

According to Zelenskyy, Russia launched 101 drones overnight on 7 July alone. Most were Iranian-designed Shaheds—long-range explosive drones. The drones targeted multiple oblasts, and air raid alerts resumed in the morning across several cities.

Zelenskyy calls for air defense and expands drone production

Zelenskyy said Ukraine depends on its partners to fulfill air defense agreements.

“Air defense is key to protecting life,” he noted.

He also confirmed that Ukraine is actively advancing its own weapons production, including all types of drones. Interceptor drones were described as a key priority.

“We are contracting at maximum capacity,” he said.

Updates on last night's Russian drone strikes

As we reported earlier, in Kharkiv alone, Russian attacks injured 27 people, including three children. A three-year-old girl was among the injured. Three individuals required hospitalization.

Read our morning report:

Drone flames in Kharkiv, missile blasts in Chuhuiv, shell in Kherson—Russia kills 13, injures 67

Russia attacked Kharkiv twice on the morning of 7 July. The first strike occurred at 05:20 and injured 29 people, including children aged 3, 7, and 11.

A second wave of Russian drone strikes followed at 10:22, hitting the Holodnohirskyi district. Residential houses, outbuildings, and transport infrastructure were destroyed. Eleven more people were reported injured in the second attack.

In Zaporizhzhia, at least 11 people were injured during the Russian drone strikes. The drones hit Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University, damaging dormitories, apartment buildings, detached houses, and non-residential infrastructure.

According to the Ukrainian Ground Forces, military draft offices in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia were also hit during the 7 July drone attacks. Several military personnel sustained injuries.