At least 21 people have been killed after Russia launched a fresh wave of ballistic missiles and drones across Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying more air defence interceptors from allies could have prevented the heavy loss of life.
Kyiv and the surrounding region recorded the deadliest attacks of the year overnight, with 17 deaths reported. Four others were killed in separate strikes in Kharkiv and Donetsk.
Ukraine said it did not intercept any of the ballistic missiles fired during the attack, renewing concerns over dwindling supplies of US-made Patriot missile interceptors.
Zelensky said delays in receiving anti-ballistic defence systems from Western partners were leading to “horrific casualties and destruction.”
He later disclosed that deliveries of missile interceptors from allied countries had fallen significantly this year.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces targeted logistics hubs and supply centres in Kyiv and the surrounding region, claiming the facilities were being used to store and distribute weapons, military equipment and drones.
Moscow also said it struck three cargo vessels near Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa, alleging they were transporting weapons and military hardware.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said residential buildings, a railway station and warehouses were damaged, with fears that more people could still be trapped beneath the rubble.
Ukraine’s emergency services confirmed one person was killed and at least 16 injured inside Kyiv, while another 16 people died and 29 were injured across the wider Kyiv region.
In Kharkiv, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said one person was killed and several others injured, including one person in critical condition, following Russian shelling.
Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin also confirmed three deaths and 27 injuries after separate attacks in the eastern region.
Emergency crews continued battling large fires at five locations across the Kyiv region on Wednesday, covering about 230,000 square metres.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles, four anti-ship missiles and 115 drones during the overnight assault. Air defence units intercepted 98 of the drones but failed to bring down any of the ballistic missiles.
Data analysed by BBC Verify showed Ukraine’s missile interception rate has dropped sharply over the past month. Between July 6 and August 5, Ukrainian forces intercepted 156 of 351 Russian missiles, compared with 128 out of 192 during the same period last year.
The figures also showed Russia increased its missile attacks by about 83 per cent compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
Drone interception rates remained relatively stable, falling only slightly from 88.4 per cent last year to 85.8 per cent this year.
Russia has stepped up attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks, while Ukraine has also intensified strikes on targets inside Russia.
In Russia’s Tula region, Governor Dmitry Milyaev said a Ukrainian drone crashed into a warehouse belonging to online retailer Wildberries, sparking a fire and injuring one person. The facility had been evacuated before the strike.
The latest attack followed Ukrainian drone strikes on Wildberries warehouses in the Moscow region, where Russian authorities said five people were killed and 10 injured on Tuesday.
Earlier this week, Russian officials also reported that seven people, including children, were killed after a Ukrainian drone struck a crowded beach in the Krasnodar region.
Meanwhile, Ukraine condemned footage circulating online showing a civilian in Kherson being chased by a drone, describing it as a deliberate attack on civilians and a possible war crime.
Both Russia and Ukraine continue to deny deliberately targeting civilians.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union had received €1.4 billion from frozen Russian assets, saying the funds would be used to support Ukraine’s defence and recovery efforts.
