(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
 . . . . . . . . . .



Ukraine Invasion Day 1,608: Long-range strike campaigns continue [1]

['News Corpse', 'Chloris Creator']

Date: 2026-07-20  

Key Takeaways Russian milbloggers rebutted Russian official statements that Russian forces have secured the M-14 Rostov-Crimea highway — the primary land route connecting mainland Russia to occupied Crimea against Ukrainian mid-range drone strikes. ** Russia’s continued long-range strike campaign against cities across Ukraine reportedly contributed to record-high civilian casualties in the war in June 2026. ** Ukrainian forces continued their long-range strike campaign against Russian oil infrastructure and air defense systems on July 19 and 20. ** Neither Russian nor Ukrainian forces made confirmed advances on July 20. ** Russia launched two Kh-59/69 guided missiles and 94 drones against Ukraine overnight.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched two Kh-59/69 cruise missiles from occupied Crimea and 94 Shahed-, Gerbera-, and Italmas-type strike drones, Banderol loitering munitions, and Parodiya-type decoy drones from the directions of Kursk and Oryol cities; Millerovo, Rostov Oblast; occupied Donetsk City; and occupied Hvardiiske, Crimea.[44] The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Ukrainian forces downed 81 drones, that one Kh-59/69 cruise missile and nine drones struck nine locations, and that one missile failed to reach its target.

Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces struck residential, industrial, energy, transportation, and commercial infrastructure in Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, and Zaporizhia oblasts.[45] The Ukrainian Energy Ministry reported that Russian strikes caused temporary power outages in Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Kherson oblasts.[46] The Ukrainian State Emergency Service reported on July 20 that Russian forces conducted a double-tap strike against first responders in Bilopilska Hromada, Sumy Oblast but did not inflict casualties.[47]

Russian forces are likely modernizing their guided bombs and improving their range, allowing them to reach targets deeper into Ukraine. Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Council Chairman Mykola Lukashuk reported on July 20 that Russian forces struck Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (roughly 80 kilometers from the frontline) with a guided glide bomb for the first time.[48]

Russian forces are escalating their strike campaign against Ukrainian and foreign-flagged civilian merchant vessels near Odesa Oblast ports. The Ukrainian Navy and Odesa Oblast authorities reported on July 19 that Russian forces struck the Turkish-owned and Guinea Bissau-flagged merchant vessel Golden Leo with three Kh-59/69 cruise missiles, killing at least 10 sailors.[49]

[END]
---
[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/7/20/800072853/community/1608/

Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.

via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/