16.08.2026 09:00
Following a ballistic missile threat warning in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, a series of powerful explosions occurred one after another. A fire broke out in a building, but according to preliminary assessments, there were no casualties. At the same time, the Moscow administration announced that 28 Ukrainian drones heading toward the capital were destroyed by air defense systems.
The war between Russia and Ukraine, which has been ongoing for years, intensified in the early hours of the morning. While Ukraine's capital Kyiv was hit by ballistic missiles, drone attacks were also carried out on Russia's capital.
CALL TO "GO TO SHELTERS" AND INITIAL FINDINGS
Kyiv Military Administration, in an urgent announcement on Telegram, issued a "ballistic missile threat" warning for the capital. Around 02:00 local time, residents were called to immediately go down to shelters.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the sounds of explosions heard in the capital and officially announced that the city was under a ballistic missile attack. Following the attack, Klitschko and city officials reported that a fire broke out in a building in the Obolonskyi district of Kyiv, which was the target of the missiles. According to initial official statements, no casualties occurred in the violent attacks or the subsequent fire.
DRONE RETALIATION AGAINST MOSCOW
During the hours of missile attacks on Kyiv, there were also tense moments on the Russian front. Russia faced a new wave of unmanned aerial vehicles sent by Ukraine.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced that Russian air defense forces destroyed approximately 28 Ukrainian drones in the air as they advanced toward the capital.
ARE THE MISSILES NORTH KOREAN-MADE?
Clashes and reciprocal air attacks in the region continue to intensify in line with specific strategic goals. Ukrainian officials state that, in response to Russia's long-range missile attacks, they are targeting oil refineries and critical military infrastructure on Russian territory with swarms of drones.
Russia, on the other hand, is intensifying its ground attacks, particularly in eastern Ukraine, while continuing destructive missile strikes on major cities, especially Kyiv. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Moscow sometimes uses North Korean-made ballistic missiles in these attacks.