Russia launches missiles and drones at Ukraine, authorities say
The death toll from a Russian drone strike on an ammunition depot in Ukraine's Kyiv region has risen to 38. The strike triggered massive secondary explosions, forcing the evacuation of hundreds. Russia has threatened a fresh bombing campaign targeting Ukraine's energy sites. The attacks have caused widespread devastation and raised concerns about a diplomatic end to the war.
What changed
The death toll from the Russian drone strike on the ammunition depot in Ukraine's Kyiv region has been confirmed to be 38, with four people still missing.
Live updates
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Russia launches missiles and drones at Ukraine
The death toll from a Russian drone strike on an ammunition depot in Ukraine's Kyiv region has risen to 38. The strike triggered massive secondary explosions, forcing the evacuation of hundreds. Russia has threatened a fresh bombing campaign targeting Ukraine's energy sites. The attacks have caused widespread devastation and raised concerns about a diplomatic end to the war.
Why it matters
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for four years, with no signs of a diplomatic resolution. The recent strikes have resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of people. The situation remains volatile, with Russia issuing warnings to the UK and threatening further attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
What is confirmed
- The death toll from a Russian strike on an ammunition depot in Ukraine's Kyiv region has risen to 38, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. A Russian drone strike on a Kyiv-area ammo depot killed 38, wounded many and led to mass evacuations. Moscow warns of a fresh bombing campaign targeting Ukraine's energy sites.
Still unconfirmed
- Russia risks backing itself into a corner and a dangerous escalation with its warnings to the UK.
What to watch next
- Further Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure
- Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict
- Search and rescue operations for the four missing people
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (5)
- www.yahoo.com — Russia threatens mass strikes on Ukraine energy sites as Kyiv depot death toll hits 38
- www.globalbankingandfinance.com — 'We're alive': Kyiv-area survivor recalls Russian strike that killed 38
- inews.co.uk — Putin’s high-risk threats to the UK leave him exposed
- www.dubaieye1038.com — Kyiv region strike death toll rises to 38, Zelenskyy says
- www.theguardian.com — Arms and the £5m man: Farage megadonor Christopher Harborne’s military empire
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Russian drone strike near Kyiv kills 37 in deadliest 2026 attack
A Russian drone strike on a warehouse west of Kyiv killed at least 37 people late Friday, marking the deadliest attack of the war this year. The strike triggered massive secondary explosions that engulfed a suburban area in smoke, forcing the evacuation of hundreds. Russian forces targeted more than a dozen apartment buildings and storage depots in the Kyiv region during a second consecutive day of aerial assaults. President Zelenskyy suggested the targeted warehouse may have been used to store ammunition near a residential zone.
Why it matters
This escalation follows a massive overnight assault on nine Ukrainian cities and ports earlier in the week. Ukraine recently retaliated with drone strikes against Moscow and a major Russian online retailer's warehouse. The high death toll in the latest strike highlights critical vulnerabilities in regional air defenses.
What is confirmed
- A Russian drone attack on a warehouse west of Kyiv killed at least 37 people.
- The strike is the deadliest attack of the war this year.
- Russian drones hit more than a dozen apartment buildings and storage depots in the Kyiv region on Friday.
- Secondary explosions following the warehouse strike engulfed a suburban area in smoke.
Still unconfirmed
- President Zelenskyy blamed possible negligence for the warehouse deaths.
- The warehouse hit by the Russian strike was used to store ammunition.
What to watch next
- Official Ukrainian investigation into air defense gaps
- Further Russian aerial attacks on Kyiv region infrastructure
- Ukrainian retaliatory strikes against Russian logistics hubs
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (5)
- nagalandpost.com — Russian drones batter Ukraine’s Kyiv region
- www.inquirer.com — 37 killed near Kyiv as Russian drone blitz exposes air defense gap
- www.scrippsnews.com — Russian drone strike near Kyiv kills 37 after warehouse explosions
- wtop.com — Russian strike on a Ukrainian warehouse kills 37 in the war’s deadliest attack this year
- www.aol.com — Russian strike on Ukrainian warehouse kills 37, one of deadliest attacks of 2026
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Russia launches massive missile and drone strikes across nine Ukrainian cities
Russia conducted a massive overnight attack targeting nine Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and various ports, using missiles and drones. The assault began Wednesday night and continued into Thursday. In Kyiv, witnesses reported explosions as ballistic missiles struck the capital. Separate reports indicate Russian attacks killed two people following a drone strike on a shopping mall. Meanwhile, Ukraine responded with long-range drone strikes that destroyed a warehouse belonging to Russia's largest online retailer, and resumed drone attacks on Moscow following a visit from the CIA director.
Why it matters
The air war has entered a deadlier phase as both nations expand the range and scale of their strikes. This escalation occurs while US Patriot missile stocks in Europe are reportedly beyond critical due to a six-month conflict with Iran.
What is confirmed
- Russia launched a massive overnight attack using missiles and drones targeting nine Ukrainian cities.
- Explosions occurred in Kyiv as ballistic missiles struck the capital and other regions.
- The Russian assault began Wednesday night and continued into Thursday.
Still unconfirmed
- Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow resumed hours after a visit from the CIA director.
What to watch next
- Reports on total casualty counts from the nine-city strike
- Updates on US Patriot missile replenishment in Europe
- Confirmation of further Ukrainian drone strikes inside Russian territory
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (13)
- Institute for the Study of War — Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 20, 2026
- AP News — Russian attacks on Ukraine kill 2 people a day after deadly shopping mall drone strike
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow resume hours after CIA director's visit, mayor says
- WSJ — The Russia-Ukraine Air War Has Entered a New, Deadlier Phase
- The Kyiv Independent — Explosions rock Kyiv as Russia launches ballistic missiles at the capital and other regions across Ukraine
- Reuters — Explosions heard in Ukraine's Kyiv, Reuters witness says
- Kyiv Post — Russia Launches Massive Overnight Attack on Kyiv
- www.arkansasonline.com — Russian warehouse destroyed in attack
- The Hill — Russia says it launched a ‘massive’ overnight strike on 9 Ukrainian cities
- apnews.com — Russia bombards 9 Ukrainian cities overnight, calling the strikes ‘massive’
- inews.co.uk — Minute by minute, how a Russian attack on Europe would unfold
- www.reviewjournal.com — US Patriot missile stocks in Europe are ‘beyond critical’ due to Iran war, officials say