Russian ballistic missiles kill 10 at public drone exhibition near Kyiv; Ukraine strikes military factory deep inside Russia

Russian missiles hit drone exhibition

Russian ballistic missiles struck an outdoor exhibition showcasing Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle technology near Kyiv on 24 July, killing at least 10 and wounding about 100, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. The event was attended by defence-industry executives and representatives of the Ukrainian military’s drone units. Air force spokesman Yuri Ihnat stated that Russia fired three missiles, of which only one was intercepted.

At least 10 people were killed and approximately 100 were injured.

Russia launched three ballistic missiles. Only one was intercepted.

Russia claims precision strike

The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the attack, asserting that long-range precision weapons targeted a site where drone technology used against Russian targets was being presented. It said manufacturers, drone-force personnel and security-service representatives involved in planning operations against Russia were at the exhibition. This is at least the third time since the 2022 invasion that a comparable exhibition has been struck.

Security failings spark investigation

The event had been publicly announced and widely advertised, drawing sharp criticism inside Ukraine. Serhiy Beskrestnov, a defence-ministry adviser known as Flash, and Liuba Sipovych, who develops military technology for the Ukrainian army, were both listed among attendees. Beskrestnov later wrote on social media that he had stayed away because of security concerns; both confirmed they were unharmed.

I did not attend the event because of security fears.

Zelensky ordered an investigation into how the exhibition was conducted. The Prosecutor General’s Office is examining who authorised the gathering and whether adequate security measures were in place.

Ukraine answers deep inside Russia

Hours before the Kyiv strike, Ukrainian forces hit a military equipment factory in the Russian city of Kirov, about 1,000 km from the front line. Local governor Aleksandr Sokolov reported six dead and 26 injured; the fire was extinguished. Zelensky said the plant produced components for aircraft and missile systems used in attacks on Ukraine. Ukrainian drones also struck Wildberries logistics warehouses near St. Petersburg and an oil facility roughly 1,350 km from the border.

Death toll rises across eastern towns

Five people were killed and at least nine injured when Russian guided bombs fell on the eastern city of Sloviansk. Two bombs damaged 10 houses, a business and the premises of the Latvian consulate, according to governor Vadym Filashkin. Early on 25 July, authorities in Sumy reported another two dead from overnight shelling, pushing the total death toll from the Russian attacks to at least 17.