Russia’s overnight attack on Ukraine: Missiles, main updates
On August 21, Russia launched massive attacks on Ukraine with missiles and drones (Illustrative photo: facebook.com/DSNS.GOV.UA)
On August 21, the Russian army launched a massive attack on Ukraine, using Shahed drones, cruise missiles, and Kinzhal missiles. Air defense systems engaged enemy targets in many regions.
Read all about the combined attack on Ukraine in the RBC-Ukraine report below.
Enemy weapons used
According to the Air Forces, the enemy struck Ukraine using:
- Shahed drones.
- Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
Cruise missiles were also reported.
Shahed drones
Since the evening of Wednesday, August 20, Russian forces have launched groups of Shahed attack drones from multiple directions. Initially, Kyiv was reported as the main target, but later the Air Forces clarified that the drones were moving in various directions.
Around midnight, explosions and air defense activity were reported in Kyiv. No information is yet available about casualties or damage. Local media also reported explosions in Chernihiv.
As of 03:30 Kyiv time on August 21, Shahed drones were tracked in the following areas:
- A new group of enemy UAVs in the Chernihiv region, heading southwest.
- A group of enemy UAVs in the Chernihiv region, heading toward the Kyiv region.
- A group of Shahed drones in the Kyiv region, heading toward Zhytomyr and Vinnytsia regions.
- UAVs in the north and south of the Vinnytsia region, heading west.
- A group of enemy UAVs in the Cherkasy region, heading west.
- A group of enemy UAVs in the northern Zhytomyr region, heading west.
- A group of enemy UAVs in the Rivne region, heading northwest.
- A group of Shahed drones in the Khmelnytskyi region, heading west.
Kinzhal missiles
Around 03:00 Kyiv time, Russian forces launched several MiG-31K aircraft. Almost immediately, Kinzhal missiles were fired. According to the Air Force, they were headed toward the Rivne region.
Later, an RBC-Ukraine correspondent confirmed that explosions were heard in the Rivne region.
Cruise missiles
At 03:06 Kyiv time, Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, reported a threat from cruise missiles to his region and all areas where an air raid alert had been issued.
At the same time, monitoring Telegram channels began reporting the launch of Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea.
Later, the Air Forces warned of missiles in the Kherson region, moving on a northwest trajectory.
Information for this report was compiled from the Air Forces’ social media and regional authorities’ updates.
