Thursday 21 / August / 2025
Russia attacked Ukraine overnight into Thursday with hundreds of drones and missiles, in the most intense assault seen in weeks.
The Ukrainian Air Force said that Russian forces launched 574 drones and 40 missiles, of which 546 drones and 31 missiles were shot down by air defenses.
The Ukrainian military said Russia deployed aircraft, along with hypersonic, ballistic and cruise missiles during the assault.
Hits were recorded at eleven locations, with debris striking three others. Explosions were reported in the capital Kyiv, along with the western city of Lviv.
One person was reported killed in the strike on Lviv, with two others injured, according to regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi.
Dozens of residential buildings were damaged in the attack.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said a civilian factory belonging to a US electronics manufacturer in western Ukraine was hit and severely damaged.
Air raid sirens had already sounded in Kyiv on Wednesday evening, and drone attacks had continued there throughout the night, with air defenses active, and residents were urged to stay in air raid shelters.
No details of injuries or damage were immediately reported from Kyiv.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia's air strikes on Ukraine Thursday provide further proof that there is little prospect of peace negotiations with Moscow.
"So far, there has been no signal from Moscow that it is willing to engage in serious negotiations to end this war," Zelenskyy wrote on the short message service Telegram.
"Pressure is needed. Strong sanctions, strong tariffs."
There have been hopes of a breakthrough after a week of whirlwind diplomacy with US President Donald Trump meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which was quickly followed by a gathering of European leaders and Zelenskyy in the Oval Office.
After the meeting with Putin, Trump said he preferred a comprehensive peace agreement, rather than an unconditional ceasefire. However, despite the attempts at mediation, the fundamental positions of both Ukraine and Russia appear to remain unchanged.
In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Trump admitted it was possible that Putin does not want to make a deal.
"We're going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks ... It's possible that he doesn't want to make a deal," Trump said, adding Putin would face a "rough situation" if peace efforts fall through.
