In response to the Ukrainian military's attack on Russian civilian targets, Russia intensively launches ballistic missiles at Kyiv.

【Global Times correspondent in Russia, Xiao Xinxin】“Russia has launched one of the largest ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv.” According to the Ukrainian News Agency, Ukrainian President Zelensky stated on the 19th that Russia fired more than 40 various missiles into Ukraine and launched a large-scale drone attack, with Kyiv as the main target. The Ukrainian "Weekly Mirror" reported that these missiles were launched at a high frequency towards Kyiv within about 40 minutes, including "Iskander-M" and "Zircon" missiles. RIA Novosti reported on the 19th that this strike by the Russian military was a response to the Ukrainian military's attack on civilian logistics facilities within Russian territory the day before.

According to the Ukrainian News Agency, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on the 19th that from the evening of the 18th to the early morning of the 19th, the Russian military launched 41 missiles and 125 drones into Ukraine, with the Ukrainian air defense system intercepting 18 missiles and 108 drones. Reports indicate that by the morning of the 19th, the attack had resulted in 1 death and 15 injuries in Kyiv. Ukrainian Acting Foreign Minister Serhiy Shefir called on international partners on the 19th to increase pressure on Russia and strengthen sanctions and blockades against it. Reuters reported on the 19th that this attack came at a time when Ukraine was facing a severe shortage of ammunition for its air defense systems, and the Russian military had taken the opportunity to intensify its attacks in recent weeks. Zelensky stated on the 19th that promoting missile defense work is a top priority.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on the 19th that in the early hours of that day, the Russian military used air-based and ground-based precision weapons and drones to launch a large-scale strike on military industrial enterprises and logistics centers in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast, as well as infrastructure targets in the southern port of Odesa. These targets were used for receiving and storing military supplies and ensuring fuel and lubricants needed by the Ukrainian military. The Russian news site "vesti.ru" stated that this action by the Russian military was a swift and decisive response to the Ukrainian military's attacks on Russian civilian targets. From the evening of the 17th to the early morning of the 18th, the Ukrainian military attacked facilities such as warehouses of online retailers in Moscow Oblast and Tambov Oblast, resulting in 8 deaths and 86 injuries. Zelensky claimed on the 18th that the two logistics hubs targeted by the Ukrainian military were used by the Russian military to produce components for drones and navigation equipment. Additionally, Ukraine's attacks on Russia are ongoing. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on the 19th that Russian air defense forces destroyed 140 Ukrainian drones over 9 regions, including Moscow Oblast, and over the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea from the evening of the 18th to the early morning of the 19th. Zelensky stated on the 19th that Ukraine struck three Russian oil depots and three oil tankers that day.

The intensity of mutual attacks between Russia and Ukraine has increased, and divisions and debates surrounding the position of Ukraine's Defense Minister are also brewing. “Zelensky is considering dismissing the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to escape the most serious military leadership crisis during his tenure.” The British "Financial Times" reported on the 18th that the deepening rift between Armed Forces Commander Zaluzhnyi and Defense Minister Fedorov led to the latter's dismissal, which sparked several days of protests in many parts of Ukraine. Senior officials in the Ukrainian presidential office revealed that Zelensky convened military commanders over the weekend to hear their assessments of the battlefield situation and interview potential candidates to take over the Ukrainian military.

The Ukrainian "Weekly Mirror" quoted sources on the 18th as saying that Fedorov is being considered for a new position as "Coordinator for Military Technology Development," and he is expected to accept this position. This role may involve coordinating military technology development, weapons production, drone system development, and collaboration between the government, military, and defense industry. This could be a compromise solution that retains Fedorov's influence in military technology while avoiding his direct return to the Ministry of Defense.

According to the American "New York Times," one of the reasons for Fedorov's dismissal may be Zelensky's intention to eliminate a potential political rival. The latter has gained widespread recognition in Ukraine. The British "Times" reported that Fedorov has vigorously promoted military technologies such as drones, making them a significant advantage for the Ukrainian military.

The "Ukrainian Truth" reported on the 19th that Fedorov's dismissal was a "storm" created by Zelensky himself. The decision may not have originally intended to convey a certain signal, but it ultimately had that effect. In the public's eyes, the conflict between the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff has evolved into a confrontation between reform and maintaining the status quo. Russian "Tsargrad" television's website and others stated that the divisions and disputes triggered by this incident may have a more adverse impact on the combat capabilities and situation of the Ukrainian military.