Russia launches massive attacks on Ukraine for second consecutive day - Details

On the night of August 26 to 27, Russia launched another large-scale bombardment of Ukraine, continuing from the previous day. The attack involved strike drones and missiles. Ukrainian Air Force detected the takeoff of a MiG-31K aircraft (which later landed), as well as several Tu-95MS bombers. Additionally, there were repeated threats of ballistic missile strikes.

First strikes

Late at 11:18 p.m. on August 26, Ukrainian military officials issued a warning about the threat of ballistic weapon use from occupied Crimea. At the same time, enemy drones were already operating in Ukrainian airspace.

A few minutes after the ballistic threat alert, explosions were reported in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region.

Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the Kryvyi Rih Defense Council, announced bad news. He later clarified that the Russian strike resulted in two fatalities, with six others seeking psychological assistance, including two children.

Vilkul reported that a civilian infrastructure building was hit, with damage also affecting other buildings, shops, a dining establishment, and vehicles.

In the morning, the State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine confirmed that two people had died in the attack on Kryvyi Rih. Another five individuals sustained injuries of varying severity. The SES specified that the enemy targeted a hotel. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.

"Two more people are likely trapped under the rubble. Six shops, four apartment buildings, and eight vehicles have been damaged. Alongside rescuers, SES mountaineers and dog handlers are working at the site. SES psychologists have assisted 11 adults and 2 children," the statement at 07:28 read.

Drone detection

Beginning at 21:50 on August 26, strike drones were detected in Ukrainian airspace. Initially, they traveled from the southern Kherson region towards Mykolaiv. After 32 minutes, a new group of drones was spotted in Sumy region. Mass sightings began at 23:25.

Due to the Shahed drones, air raid alerts were issued twice in Kyiv. Around 01:15, explosions were heard in the city. The Kyiv Regional Military Administration (KRMA) reported the activation of air defense forces. Residents were urged to stay in shelters.

Later, at 02:13, an explosion was also heard in Zaporizhzhia. The cause of the explosion remains unknown.

As of six in the morning, enemy drones continued to be detected in Ukrainian airspace.

Kinzhal missiles from MiG-31K and a large-scale air alert

As of 03:18, an air raid alert was declared across all of Ukraine due to the takeoff of a Russian MiG-31K, which posed a missile threat.

At 03:21, an explosion was reported in Sumy, followed by another at 03:26 in Rivne. Later, around 03:40, a powerful explosion was heard in Kyiv. Explosions were also reported in Khmelnytskyi region, where a missile was detected by the military. Details of the attack have not yet been disclosed.

Launches from Tu-95MS and a second large-scale alert

At 03:59, the military reported the takeoff of several strategic Tu-95MS bombers from Engels Airfield in Russia.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the estimated time for these aircraft to reach their launch positions was 04:30.

Starting from 04:53, missiles, likely launched from the Tu-95MS bombers, were detected in Ukrainian airspace. At 05:14, a large-scale alert was issued again across Ukraine.

Following the launch, the missiles periodically altered their course, heading towards Kyiv, Uman, Kremenchuk, Kropivnitskyi, Rivne, and Starokostiantyniv. They were detected across various regions of Ukraine.

By 05:16, explosions were reported in Kyiv, and at 05:41 in Khmelnytskyi region. No further updates have been provided.

Situation in Kyiv as of the morning

At 06:45, an air raid alert was issued again in Kyiv. The military warned of ballistic threats towards Vasylkiv and Obukhiv.

The Kyiv Regional Military Administration (KRMA) reported that Kyiv was repelling a combined missile and drone attack from the enemy.

"Kyiv is defending against a combined missile and drone attack. Debris from the attack has been reported in a forested park area in the Dniprovskiy district of the city, resulting in a fire covering an area of up to 50 square meters. There are no reports of casualties," said head of the KRMA, Serhii Popko

At 07:11, the air raid alert in the capital was lifted.

Large-scale Russian attack

It is important to note that for the second consecutive day, Russia has carried out a large-scale bombardment of Ukraine. Specifically, yesterday, Russian forces launched 127 missiles and 109 kamikaze drones at our country.

Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, reported that air defense forces successfully intercepted 102 enemy missiles and 99 drones.