At least 15 people have been killed in Russian attacks across Ukraine, including 10 who died when ballistic missiles struck a drone technology exhibition near Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said. President Volodymyr Zelensky said around 100 people were injured in the daytime attack, which targeted an event attended by leading figures from Ukraine's defence industry. He announced an investigation into the incident and said authorities were examining how the exhibition was organised and what security measures had been in place. Missile attack hits defence technology exhibitionUkraine's prosecutor general also said investigators were working to determine who authorised the event and whether adequate precautions had been taken. According to Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuri Ihnat, Russia launched three ballistic missiles at the exhibition site, with Ukrainian air defences intercepting only one of them. Russia acknowledged carrying out the strike. Its Defence Ministry said it had used high-precision long-range weapons against a venue where drones intended for attacks on civilian targets in Russia were being demonstrated. Moscow said drone manufacturers, members of Ukraine's drone forces and security personnel involved in planning strikes on Russian territory had been present. The attack marks at least the third time since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 that a defence technology exhibition has been targeted. Questions over event securityThe strike prompted immediate concern over the safety of Defence Ministry adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov, known as Flash, and Lyuba Shypovych, who has worked on technology projects for the Ukrainian military. Both later confirmed on social media that they were unharmed. Beskrestnov said he had chosen not to attend because of security concerns. The attack has also triggered widespread criticism over the decision to hold a publicly advertised defence-related event during wartime, with many questioning whether it unnecessarily exposed participants to risk. Separately, five people were killed in the eastern city of Sloviansk after Russian glide bomb attacks. On Friday evening, Zelensky said intelligence reports suggested Russia was preparing another large-scale missile assault that could take place later that day or within the following 48 hours. Ukraine strikes targets inside RussiaUkraine also carried out overnight attacks deep inside Russian territory. Officials said six people were killed and 26 wounded in strikes on the city of Kirov, more than 1,000km from the front line. Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had hit what he described as one of Russia's key military facilities, which supplies aircraft and missile components used in attacks on Ukraine. Ukraine also targeted warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, in the St Petersburg region. The attacks were the latest in a series against the company's logistics facilities over the past week. Kyiv says it has expanded its targeting beyond oil infrastructure to logistics hubs that can be used to acquire military equipment, aiming to disrupt supplies reaching the Russian armed forces. The strikes have also affected many small and medium-sized businesses operating through the retailer. Diplomatic moves continueZelensky is expected to travel to the United States next week and is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump on Tuesday, according to a White House official, as Washington attempts to restart peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Trump ally Laura Loomer, who interviewed Zelensky in Kyiv on Friday, quoted the Ukrainian president as saying he also intended to attend the funeral of US Senator Lindsey Graham on the same day. Elsewhere, Romanian President Nicusor Dan said a Romanian F-16 fighter jet shot down a Russian drone that entered the country's airspace on Friday. Romanian authorities had earlier issued air raid alerts across several eastern and south-eastern regions. Join the discussion? 25 July 2026
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