Russia launched a new round of large-scale missile and drone attacks on Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday, August 28, resulting in at least 18 deaths, including 4 children, and 38 injured. Multiple buildings in various areas of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, were damaged. The office of the European Union Delegation to Ukraine and the British Council were also hit, with no casualties reported. However, the EU and the UK have summoned Russian diplomats to protest against the attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia’s actions on social media, stating, “Russia chose missiles over negotiation tables. It opted to continue killing rather than ending the war.” He called on the international community to impose new sanctions on Moscow. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that the targets were military facilities and air bases, emphasizing that the Kremlin is still interested in negotiations.
According to reports from Reuters, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that this was the largest-scale attack on the capital in recent months. Buildings across the city suffered damage, with constant explosions and thick smoke filling the night sky, accompanied by the whirring sound of drones. At least 13 locations nationwide were targeted, leading to power outages due to damaged electrical facilities.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attacks as a “grim reminder,” indicating that the Kremlin is resorting to “intimidating Ukraine by all means, even targeting EU institutions.” She revealed that two missiles nearly hit the offices of the EU Delegation and announced the upcoming 19th round of EU sanctions against Russia, advancing the freezing of Russian assets to aid Ukraine.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the damage to the British Council building and accused Putin of “killing children and civilians, destroying hopes for peace.”
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that he met with the Russian Ambassador to the UK to protest against the missile and drone attacks on Ukraine the previous night.
Lammy wrote on social media, “Putin’s attacks last night killed civilians, destroyed homes, and damaged buildings, including the British Council and the EU Delegation in Kyiv.”
He added, “We met with the Russian Ambassador. The slaughter and destruction must stop.”
Ukrainian forces reported that Russian forces launched nearly 600 drones and 31 missiles nationwide, with 563 drones and 26 missiles intercepted by air defense systems. A railway hub in central Vinnytsia region was hit, resulting in power outages for 60,000 residents. Ukraine warned that as winter approaches, Russia may intensify attacks on energy facilities.
Russia claimed that its air defense forces shot down 102 Ukrainian drones overnight and used unmanned speedboats to sink a Ukrainian reconnaissance boat, resulting in 1 death and several missing. The Ukrainian Navy confirmed the incident but did not disclose the attack’s location. Ukrainian drone forces also claimed to have targeted two Russian oil refineries, Afipsky and Kuybyshevskyi.
The ports at the mouth of the Danube River have once again become a focal point. Ukraine stressed that these ports serve as crucial alternative routes for importing fuel and strategic supplies following the blockade of Black Sea ports.