Russia launched a large overnight attack on Ukraine on August 27, firing missiles and drones targeting Kyiv, Odesa, Poltava, Kryvyi Rih, and other regions [1, 2]. The barrage included 258 drones, two Oniks anti-ship missiles, 31 missiles including North Korean ballistic missiles, and an unspecified number of ballistic missiles over the past week [1, 3]. Nearly 90% of the drones, one Oniks missile, and seven ballistic missiles were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses during the August 27 attack [1]. Ukraine said Russia used a newly upgraded Iskander-1000 ballistic missile, with a longer range of about 340 miles, for the first time during these attacks [4].
The strikes targeted Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, port infrastructure, grain storage, energy, and industrial sites [1]. Russian drone attacks crossed into Moldovan airspace, which confirmed five drones entered its territory [1]. In the Kyiv region, Russian strikes damaged warehouses, homes, apartment buildings, and vehicles, killing one and injuring two [2].
Over the week, Russia launched nearly 2,000 attack drones, more than 1,600 aerial bombs, and 31 missiles including North Korean ballistic missiles across Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy [3]. Zelenskyy confirmed a missile strike and subsequent explosions in the village of Myla, Kyiv region, on August 30 killed 38 people, left 4 missing and injured 20 others [3]. "Unfortunately, it is known that 38 people were killed by the strike and subsequent detonation," Zelenskyy said [3].
The exchange of strikes also affected Russian regions, with Ukrainian drones hitting areas including Yaroslavl and Moscow. Yaroslavl's governor, Mikhail Yevrayev, said one person was killed and 27 injured after debris fell on an inter-municipal bus and elsewhere in the region [2]. Russian air defenses claimed to have downed 512 Ukrainian drones over 18 regions including the Black Sea and Crimea [2].
Kyiv recently received a small batch of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors to strengthen its air defenses amid ongoing missile threats [1]. Zelenskyy said, "This week, our European allies made important decisions to strengthen Ukrainian air defense. Everything that strengthens the protection of our skies effectively saves the lives of Ukrainians every day." [1]
Russia and Ukraine continued trading drone and missile strikes through August 27-28, causing casualties and damage on both sides [2]. The next reported event came on August 30 with the grim toll announced in Myla village [3].
