At least 22 people were killed and 85 injured overnight as Russian forces launched a wave of strikes across Ukraine, targeting civilian infrastructure, including a correctional facility and a hospital, Ukrainian officials said Tuesday, July 29. The attacks spanned 73 cities, towns and villages, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Deadly prison strike in Zaporizhzhia
In one of the deadliest incidents, four high-explosive aerial bombs struck the Bilenke Correctional Colony in Zaporizhzhia late Monday night, July 28, killing 17 inmates and injuring 42 others, Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice confirmed.
The strike destroyed the prison’s dining hall and severely damaged administrative and quarantine facilities. Officials said the prison’s perimeter remained intact, and there was no threat of escapes.
Ukrainian officials, including Zelenskyy and Zaporizhzhia governor Ivan Fedorov, condemned the attack as a deliberate strike on a civilian detention facility and Ukraine’s human rights commissioner called it a violation of humanitarian law.
Hospital hit in Dnipropetrovsk region
Early Tuesday, Russian missiles hit a hospital in Kamianske, killing two people, including a 23-year-old pregnant woman and injuring five others, according to regional head Serhiy Lysak. A nearby three-story building not in use was also destroyed.
In other attacks across the Dnipropetrovsk region, officials said one person was killed in Synelnykivsky district, and a 75-year-old woman was killed in Velykomykhailivska. A 68-year-old man was injured in the same village.
Ukrainian leaders respond
Fedorov denounced the strikes as a “blatant war crime,” emphasizing the continued suffering of civilians.
Zelenskyy echoed that condemnation and called for a direct international response.
“Every murder of our people by the Russians, every Russian strike, when there could have been a ceasefire long ago if Russia had not refused – all this shows that Moscow deserves very tough, truly painful, and therefore fair and effective sanctions pressure,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.
What is the international context?
The attacks come amid a renewed ultimatum from President Donald Trump, who said Monday that Russia has “10 or 12 days” to agree to a ceasefire or face sweeping sanctions. Trump’s latest warning replaced an earlier 50-day deadline and came during a visit to Scotland.
Zelenskyy praised the move, calling it an important message to Moscow.
Meanwhile, the BBC reports that Ukrainian drones struck several regions overnight, killing one person in Salsk, Rostov and another in the border region of Belgorod.
