Russia launched a massive overnight ballistic missile and drone barrage against Ukraine on Wednesday, August 5th, marking one of the deadliest strikes on Kyiv this year.
According to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, the assault killed at least 17 people and injured 44 others, damaging residential buildings and warehouses. Although Ukraine’s air defence intercepted 98 out of 115 drones, they failed to stop any of the 24 ballistic and 4 anti-ship missiles launched by Russia, prompting Kyiv to urgently request more U.S.-made Patriot missile interceptors from its allies.
Amid escalation, both sides deny intentionally attacking non-combatants Nevertheless, local Ukrainian officials accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure—noting that rescue teams feared more people were trapped under the rubble of struck buildings in central Kyiv.
In contrast, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed the strikes successfully hit logistics hubs, weapons supply centres, and drone production facilities in the Kyiv region. Additionally, Moscow stated it hit three cargo vessels transporting military equipment near the Black Sea port of Odesa.
The attack comes amid a broader escalation, with both nations increasingly striking targets beyond the frontlines. Over the same night, a Ukrainian drone hit a Wildberries e-commerce warehouse in Russia’s Tula region, causing a fire and injuring one person—following similar deadly strikes on Russian warehouses and a beach in recent days.
Despite high-profile incidents causing civilian casualties on both sides, including a controversial drone video in Kherson that Ukraine likened to a “civilian hunt,” both Russia and Ukraine continue to deny intentionally targeting non-combatants.
