The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine appears to be reaching a dangerous turning point once again. In recent days, Russia has launched major aerial attacks on several areas, including the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Reports indicate the use of ballistic missiles, drones, and other missile systems in these Russian strikes. Meanwhile, there are also reports of Ukrainian ships being targeted in the Black Sea. Amidst this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Serbia seeking assistance. On the other hand, military preparations appear to be intensifying along NATO’s eastern flank; Romania has conducted drills involving F-35 fighter jets to counter drone threats near its border. This raises the question: could the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war now extend to NATO territory?
Intense Overnight Missile Attack on Kyiv
According to reports, Russia fired six Iskander-M ballistic missiles at the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, during the night of August 7–8. The first missile struck Kyiv at approximately 12:45 AM. It is reported that five additional missiles were fired toward the capital within the next 15 minutes. The attacks ignited fires in several parts of Kyiv, and images have emerged showing burning houses and extensive damage. There are also reports that a child and their grandparents were killed in the Brovary district. Several people remain missing, and search-and-rescue teams are currently looking for them. One missile landed near a factory where employees had taken cover in an underground bunker during the attack.
How Employees Saved Themselves During the Attack
Mikhail Hukov, a warehouse worker in Kyiv, recounted that he realized there was a threat of a ballistic missile attack the moment the air raid sirens sounded. He immediately messaged the staff group, instructing everyone to head to the shelter. According to Hukov, several employees wanted to go back to retrieve their bags but were stopped from doing so. Afterward, everyone moved to the shelter. Shortly after, explosions occurred that were so powerful it seemed as though the blast had taken place right next to the warehouse.
Truck burned in blast; driver narrowly escapes
During the attacks in Kyiv, truck driver Ivan Braga also found himself caught in a Russian strike. He recounted being inside his cab when a massive explosion occurred, setting his truck ablaze. A nearby truck also caught fire. According to Braga, he did not even have time to retrieve essential documents or belongings; he managed to escape with only a bag of clothes. He sustained burns on his back and part of his body due to the intense heat of the fire and was forced to flee the scene.
Did Russia use the S-400 in the attack?
Reports claim that Russia utilized missiles fired from the S-400 system alongside ballistic missiles in this attack. The S-400 is typically known as an air defense system designed to intercept enemy aircraft and missiles; however, reports indicate that Russia employed it for offensive strikes as well. Additionally, Geran-series drones were used in the assault. It is reported that Russia deployed a total of 151 drones, six Iskander-M ballistic missiles, and missiles fired from the S-400 system. Ukraine claims to have shot down 135 of the drones, though its air defense systems failed to intercept the six ballistic missiles.
Has Ukraine’s missile interception capability declined?
Citing data from July, the report claims that Russia fired 195 ballistic missiles at Ukraine that month, of which Ukraine managed to intercept only 29—an interception rate of approximately 14 percent. Consequently, the report suggests that Russia is now capable of launching major attacks using even a limited number of ballistic missiles. Questions have also been raised regarding the number of Patriot air defense systems currently in Ukraine’s possession. However, there has been no confirmation of the claim that Ukraine has reserved certain missiles specifically to protect the presidential palace.
Reports of attacks across eight Ukrainian regions
The impact of Russian attacks was not limited to Kyiv alone. Reports of attacks and damage emerged from several Ukrainian regions during the night of August 7–8.
According to the data provided in the report:
Three people died and four were injured in Zaporizhzhia.
Two people died and seven were injured in Kharkiv.
Nineteen people were reported injured in Sumy.
One person died and 15 were injured in Donetsk.
Two deaths and 26 injuries were reported in Kherson.
A football stadium was reportedly damaged in Odesa.
One person was reported injured in a drone attack in Dnipropetrovsk.
In other words, the impact of Russian attacks was felt across multiple parts of Ukraine in a single night.
