Russian missile and drone strike kills 17, none intercepted

A massive Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv and its surrounding region killed at least 17 people and wounded more than 40 others early Wednesday, August 5, 2026, as Ukraine’s depleted air defenses failed to intercept any of the incoming ballistic missiles. The assault, which lasted about two hours, underscores a critical and widening gap in Ukraine’s ability to defend its cities against high-speed Russian missiles.

Ukrainian officials said Russia launched 28 missiles, including 24 Iskander-M and S-400 ballistic missiles and four Zircon or Oniks missiles, alongside 115 attack drones. Ukrainian air defenses successfully destroyed or jammed 98 of the drones but reported no interceptions of the missiles. The strikes hit at least 26 locations, including a railway station, postal sorting centers, retail logistics hubs, and warehouses. Casualties included railway workers, retail employees, and postal staff. The Kyiv regional administration declared Thursday, August 6, a day of mourning.

In response to the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on accelerating the delivery of additional air defense systems....