On Thursday, August 20, 2026, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on social media another large-scale Russian missile and drone attack, focused primarily on Kyiv Oblast and the capital itself, involving 75 missiles of various types and 168 unmanned aerial vehicles. The attack began yesterday at around 6:00 p.m. local time.
Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine (Kyiv branch)
Russia launched:
- 13 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missiles, or P-800 Oniks/Yakhont missiles, from launchers deployed near Manturovo in Kursk Oblast and Millerovo in Rostov Oblast;
- 8 Iskander-M ballistic missiles/S-400 surface-to-air missiles from Klintsy in Bryansk Oblast;
- 2 KN-23 ballistic missiles from Liski in Voronezh Oblast;
- 38 Kh-101 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers operating in the area of Cherepovets in Vologda Oblast;
- 8 Kalibr cruise missiles launched from Project 21631 Buyan-M small missile ships operating from the Novorossiysk naval base in Krasnodar Krai;
- 6 Kh-59 Ovod/Kh-69 guided missiles launched from Su-34 strike aircraft and Su-35S and Su-57 multirole combat aircraft operating over Kursk and Belgorod oblasts in Russia and occupied Luhansk Oblast;
- 168 Geran/Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles, almost half of them jet-powered Geran-3/4, as well as Gerbera drones, two S8000 Banderol light cruise missiles, and various types of drone decoys, including Parodiya, launched from the directions of Shatalovo, Kursk, Oryol, Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, occupied Donetsk Oblast, and Hvardiiske in Crimea.
The main target of the attack was Kyiv Oblast, although Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Chernihiv oblasts were also targeted.
The attack was countered by Ukrainian aviation, air-defense missile units, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units, and mobile air-defense groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to preliminary data, by 9:30 a.m. local time, Ukrainian air defenses had shot down or otherwise neutralized 186 targets, including 31 Kh-101/Iskander-M/Kh-59 missiles, eight Kalibr cruise missiles, two Banderol missiles, and 145 drones over the northern, southern, eastern, and central parts of the country. Strikes were recorded at 28 locations, while debris fell at two locations. At the time of publication, several unmanned aerial vehicles remained in Ukrainian airspace.
According to reports, targets hit in Kyiv included the Antonov aircraft plant in the northwestern part of the city, an industrial zone in the western part, another industrial facility in the west, a warehouse complex in the eastern part, and an unidentified target. In addition, an oil depot and a logistics warehouse in Brovary were reportedly hit, as well as unidentified targets near Dnipro and Pavlohrad.
⚡️ ЗБИТО/ПОДАВЛЕНО 186 ЦІЛЕЙ ПРОТИВНИКАhttps://t.co/wcwSZPPIuC pic.twitter.com/x7DGmRA1tP
— Генеральний штаб ЗСУ (@GeneralStaffUA) August 20, 2026
Last night, Russia launched another large-scale, combined missile and drone attack on Ukraine.
Missiles launches:
~22 Kh-101 cruise missiles launched from 6 Tu-95MS strategic bombers at their launch lines near the city of Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast.
~16 Kh-101 cruise… pic.twitter.com/6E2ZN4aTzb
— AMK Mapping 🇳🇿 (@AMK_Mapping_) August 20, 2026
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Of Ukraine:
„Emergency crews have been working at the sites of Russian strikes since overnight. It was a massive attack – the Russians had been preparing for a long time, combining different types of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, aiming to cause as much damage as possible to civilian infrastructure. There is destruction in Kyiv and the region, as well as in the Odesa and Chernihiv regions.
In the capital, residential buildings were damaged, including a high-rise whose upper floors were destroyed, as well as a children’s hospital and a school. Emergency response and rescue operations are ongoing. As of now, we know that this Russian strike has claimed the lives of 12 people in Kyiv, with one person killed in the region. My condolences to all the families and loved ones. Around 40 more people were injured. In the Odesa region, the enemy carried out a drone attack on a border crossing with Moldova; in the Chernihiv region, it targeted gas infrastructure. I thank all the rescuers, medics, police officers, and utility workers who have been helping people from the first moments.
Unfortunately, while Moscow is investing in ballistic missiles and escalation, such strikes do not always receive the response they should from the world. And as long as Ukraine does not have enough anti-ballistic defense, Russia will not consider peace seriously. We are doing everything to ensure we have that protection, and work on the FREYJA program continues every day. But Patriot interceptors cannot yet be replaced, and we need them every day. Every additional missile saves the lives of our people. I thank everyone who understands this and is looking for and finding ways to help.”
Emergency crews have been working at the sites of Russian strikes since overnight. It was a massive attack – the Russians had been preparing for a long time, combining different types of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, aiming to cause as much damage as possible… pic.twitter.com/zvOkAwgNlf
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 20, 2026
State Emergency Service of Ukraine:
„In Zhytomyr, two people were killed and more than 40 were injured as a result of Russian shelling. The enemy attack caused a fire in the building of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Zhytomyr Oblast. The fire has now been contained, and firefighting operations are ongoing. Explosive ordnance disposal teams are inspecting the area for explosive hazards. Psychologists are continuously providing assistance to the injured and anyone else in need. So far, 10 people have already sought psychological support.”
У Житомирі внаслідок російського обстрілу загинули 2 людини, понад 40 — постраждали!
Через ворожу атаку спалахнула пожежа в будівлі Головного управління Національної поліції в Житомирській області. Наразі загорання локалізоване, триває ліквідація.
Деталі: https://t.co/vOgM1BIgK6 pic.twitter.com/bl7F8L5943— DSNS.GOV.UA (@SESU_UA) August 19, 2026
„Kyiv: Four people were killed and 23 injured in a large-scale attack on the capital. Earlier, strikes, destruction, and fires were reported in the Sviatoshynskyi, Darnytskyi, and Solomianskyi districts.
Sviatoshynskyi district: one industrial facility was hit. Fires were also reported in two warehouse buildings covering 500 and 1,000 m². At another location, a fire broke out in a 500 m² warehouse building. One person was found dead, while rescuers are currently working to free another person from the rubble.
Solomianskyi district: in a nine-story residential building, the eighth and ninth floors were destroyed, with a fire breaking out across the seventh to ninth floors. At other locations, windows were blown out in residential buildings and an outpatient clinic, while fires broke out in cars, garages, and a shop. The garage fire was extinguished. People are also trapped in two residential buildings and a school shelter. At another location, windows were shattered at a medical facility, while a utility room and a car caught fire. The fire was extinguished.
Darnytskyi district: a fire broke out at a non-residential facility. The blaze engulfed warehouses and vehicles over an area of approximately 1,000 m². Rescuers saved one person and handed them over to medical personnel.”
#Київ: 4 особи загинули та 23 постраждали через масовану атаку на столицю! Попередньо, влучання, руйнування та пожежі зафіксовані у Святошинському, Дарницькому та Солом’янському районах.
Детальніше: https://t.co/V0SgekdbfX pic.twitter.com/vgencostR2— DSNS.GOV.UA (@SESU_UA) August 20, 2026
„Kyiv Oblast: One person was killed and seven were injured as a result of a combined Russian attack on the region. Fires were reported at two fuel infrastructure facilities, warehouse buildings, private homes, and a vehicle. State Emergency Service firefighters are working at the strike sites.”
#Київщина: 1 особа загинула, 7 постраждали внаслідок російського комбінованого удару по області!
Зафіксовані пожежі на території 2 об’єктів паливної інфраструктури, складських будівель, приватних житлових будинків та автомобіля.
Рятувальники ДСНС працюють на місцях ударів. pic.twitter.com/HkTK7jvBOq— DSNS.GOV.UA (@SESU_UA) August 20, 2026
At 3:08 a.m., the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command issued the following statement:
„Attention. Due to the activity of the Russian Federation’s long-range aviation conducting strikes against targets in Ukraine, military aircraft have begun operating in Polish airspace.
In accordance with established procedures, the Armed Forces Operational Command, through the Air Operations Center – Air Component Command, activated the necessary forces and assets at its disposal. Ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems were placed on alert.
These measures are preventive in nature and are intended to secure and protect Polish airspace, particularly in areas adjacent to the regions under threat.
The Armed Forces Operational Command is monitoring the current situation, while subordinate forces and assets remain ready to respond immediately.”
❗️ Uwaga. W związku z aktywnością lotnictwa dalekiego zasięgu Federacji Rosyjskiej, wykonującego uderzenia na terytorium Ukrainy, rozpoczęło się operowanie lotnictwa wojskowego w polskiej przestrzeni powietrznej.
Zgodnie z obowiązującymi procedurami Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ… pic.twitter.com/3jTNe1yBgS
— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) August 20, 2026
At 6:30 a.m., another statement was issued:
„Military aviation operations in Polish airspace, conducted in connection with Russian strikes against Ukraine, have been concluded.
The activated ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have returned to standard operational activity.
We inform that no violation of Polish airspace was recorded.
We thank NATO, NATO Allied Air Command, and the Netherlands Armed Forces for their support and assistance with air defense systems.
The Polish Armed Forces continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and remain on constant alert to ensure the security of Polish airspace.”
Operowanie wojskowego lotnictwa w naszej przestrzeni powietrznej, związane z uderzeniami Federacji Rosyjskiej na Ukrainę, zostało zakończone.
Uruchomione naziemne systemy obrony powietrznej oraz rozpoznania radiolokacyjnego powróciły do standardowej działalności operacyjnej.… pic.twitter.com/xY3vfzbwuN
— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) August 20, 2026
Between 4:22 a.m. and 5:31 a.m., an RCB Alert was in effect for the Lublin and Subcarpathian voivodeships:
Uwaga! Alert RCB – odwołanie zagrożenia!
„UWAGA! UWAGA! UWAGA! ZAKOŃCZYŁ SIĘ ZMASOWANY ATAK NA OBSZARZE ZACHODNIEJ UKRAINY. BRAK ZAGROŻENIA NA TERYTORIUM RP. ŚLEDŹ KOMUNIKATY.” https://t.co/yF9s4RxATs
— Rządowe Centrum Bezpieczeństwa (@RCB_RP) August 20, 2026
UPDATE
State Emergency Service of Ukraine:
„Zhytomyr Oblast: Two people were injured as a result of another Russian attack. A fire broke out following an enemy strike on logistics infrastructure. Rescuers have now extinguished the fire.”
#Житомирщина: 2 людей постраждали внаслідок чергової російської атаки. Через ворожий удар по логістичній інфраструктурі виникла пожежа.
Наразі загоряння рятувальники ліквідували. pic.twitter.com/tJqppJ8KmY— DSNS.GOV.UA (@SESU_UA) August 20, 2026
„Update: In Kyiv Oblast, the number of people injured as a result of Russian shelling has risen to eight. Russian forces attacked logistics infrastructure in Kyiv Oblast for the fourth time within 24 hours. Rescuers are continuing efforts to deal with the consequences of the strikes in two districts of the region.”
UPD: На Київщині кількість постраждалих через обстріл рф зросла до 8 людей. росіяни вчетверте за добу атакували логістичну інфраструктуру Київщини. Рятувальники продовжують ліквідацію наслідків у двох районах області. pic.twitter.com/OZfgWeGWRu
— DSNS.GOV.UA (@SESU_UA) August 20, 2026
