Russian Missile and Drone Attack Kills 16 in Kyiv

Aug. 20, 2026 Firefighters in Kyiv battle a blaze that broke out during a Russian attack on Aug. 20, 2026. Ukrainian State Emergency Service Russian strikes killed 16 people and injured more than 40 in Kyiv and the surrounding region on Thursday as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a failure by Ukraine's allies to replenish its stock of air defense missiles was costing lives. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched dozens of missiles and 168 drones in the overnight attack. The air force said that nearly 90% of the drones and most of the cruise missiles were downed. It did not specify how many ballistic missiles were launched and whether any were intercepted. The upper floors of a nine-story residential block were destroyed in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district, where the majority of the 15 deaths in the capital occurred, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. He called for Friday to be observed as a day of mourning. Two other districts suffered damage, Klitschko said, with a school and a children's hospital hit as well as non-residential facilities and warehouses. Russia's Defense Ministry said it attacked Kyiv and the surrounding region, hitting facilities producing drone components, a military depot and a logistics hub, as well as other targets. The Russian strikes also targeted the Black Sea region of Odesa, where repeated attacks on port infrastructure and ships have brought Ukraine's vital agricultural exports to a virtual halt in recent weeks, pressuring global food prices. Meanwhile, in Russia, authorities in the republic of Tatarstan said several people were injured and homes were damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack. They also said work was disrupted at an industrial site but did not provide further details. As Russia has escalated its ballistic strikes in recent months, Zelensky has pleaded with allies to replenish Ukraine's stock of Patriot interceptors — the only weapon in its arsenal capable of downing a ballistic missile. "The interceptors for Patriot systems have not yet been replaced, and they are needed every day," Zelensky wrote in a post on Telegram on Thursday. "Each additional missile saves the lives of our people." Reuters contributed reporting. Read more about: Ukraine war , Kyiv Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russian Strikes Kill 6, Cut Power Across Ukraine Ukrainian officials also reported large drone attacks in at least three other regions, including Zaporizhzhia. 1 Min read Kyiv Reels From One of Russia’s Largest Attacks in Months Residents voiced feelings of shock and stress as they grappled with the aftermath of the attack that killed at least 15 people. 3 Min read Russian Overnight Air Attacks Near Kyiv Kill At Least 3 Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 25 Russian drones over seven regions, including Kyiv and the western Lviv region. 1 Min read Russian Attack Kills Three in Kyiv Ukraine's Foreign Minister said the deaths are more "proof that Putin wants war, not peace." 3 Min read