Russia and Ukraine exchange aerial attacks with Ukraine launching hundreds of drones into Russia

Ukraine has vastly increased its attacks on Russia this year, using long-range missiles and swarms of drones. The main targets have been military industries and energy facilities.

Published: August 16, 2026 4:09pm

Ukraine attacked Russia Sunday with the launching of hundreds of drones, killing at least six people. It was one of Kyiv’s largest attacks by air in the nearly four-and-a-half-year-long war. 

Russia claims to have destroyed 822 Ukrainian drones overnight. Approximately 600 drones were detected heading toward Russia’s capital, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. He said a third of them were destroyed over the Moscow region, according to CBS News

Ukraine has vastly increased its attacks on Russia this year, using long-range missiles and swarms of drones. The main targets have been military industries and energy facilities. They’ve also hit the depots of Wildberries, Russia’s online retail giant, destroying billions of dollars' worth of merchandise.  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social media Sunday that a Russian missile attack on Ukraine's Kryvyi Rih killed two people and wounded 14 others. 

"Wherever the Russians can reach with their ballistic missiles, they strike civilian infrastructure," Zelenskyy said. "Since this morning, air raid alerts have continued in many regions - the Russians launched another wave of drones."

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