Ukraine attacks Russia with hundreds of drones in one of Kyiv’s largest aerial assaults of the conflict

Around 16 August 2026, Ukraine launched hundreds of drones at Russia, in one of its largest aerial attacks of the war. France 24 reported 600 drones, and Russia said 600 Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow overnight. Ukrainian drones struck the Moscow region, killing one person, according to Reuters. Russia's Rostov region governor said three were killed there. A Wildberries warehouse near Moscow burned.

Russia struck Ukraine at the same time. Missile and drone attacks hit industrial sites in Kryvyi Rih and Kyiv, including the ArcelorMittal steel plant, killing two, according to Kyiv Post, and Al Arabiya reported three killed in Ukraine. NATO jets, including a Spanish F-18, shot down a suspected Russian drone over Romania, and Deutsche Welle reported that troops from North Korea would boost Russia's forces in Ukraine.