The most powerful attack occurred on August 21, 2025. Russia launched an unprecedented salvo on western Ukraine—574 kamikaze drones and 40 missiles of various types. Ukrainian regions bordering NATO member countries came under attack, and civilians suffered. A man was killed in Lviv, and three more people were wounded. The American factory Flex Ltd in Mukachevo, Zakarpattia, was damaged. In total, at least 15 people were affected.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the night attack: “Tonight, the Russian army set one of its insane anti-records. They struck civilian infrastructure enterprises, residential buildings, and our people. And the Russians delivered this strike as if nothing is changing at all. As if there are no global efforts to stop this war. A reaction is needed to this. There is still no signal from Moscow that they are truly planning to enter meaningful negotiations and end this war,”.
This attack became the culmination of a week that began with massive shelling on the night of August 18. Russia then launched 140 drones and four missiles, 88 of which were shot down by Ukrainian air defense. Explosions were reported in 25 locations simultaneously. In Odesa Oblast, an SOCAR oil reservoir was damaged, and in other regions, residential and industrial infrastructure suffered hits. Also, on the night of August 19, Russians attacked central Ukraine. Cruise missiles and drones struck energy facilities in Poltava Oblast. Large-scale fires erupted at a gas transportation hub and, likely, at an oil refinery.
Photo by Ivan Samoilov for AFP
Kharkiv: Night Under Drone and Ballistic Missile Strikes
On the night of August 18, Kharkiv once again came under heavy Russian fire. Around five in the morning, city residents heard at least four explosions. This was already the second attack in a few hours: the previous evening, the occupiers struck the city with ballistic missiles and later launched Shahed kamikaze drones.
Photo by Ivan Samoilov for AFP
The Industrial District suffered the most damage. One of the drones hit a high-rise apartment building, causing a large-scale fire across two entrances. The blaze engulfed several floors, covering an area of 900 square meters. Due to five direct hits, the building was partially destroyed—floor slabs collapsed, raising the threat that people remained under the rubble.
Photo by Ivan Samoilov for AFP
According to local authorities, at least seven people died, among them a 45-year-old man, a 67-year-old woman, a 16-year-old boy, and an 18-month-old child. Another 24 people were wounded, several in moderate condition. Three residents are still considered missing. Police suggest that an entire family may have perished in one of the apartments.
Photo by Ivan Samoilov for AFP
Rescuers worked under the constant threat of repeat strikes. When an air raid alarm was announced, they had to interrupt work and hide in shelters, only to return afterward to clear the rubble and extinguish the fire centers.
Regional Head Oleh Syniehubov stated that there are a number of legal questions regarding the commissioning of the building hit by the drones. Law enforcement is conducting an investigation.
A day of mourning was announced in Kharkiv and the oblast for the victims. The consequences of this attack were documented by photo documentarian Ivan Samoilov.
Photo by Ivan Samoilov for AFP
Lviv: Repeat Strike on Residential Neighborhoods
On the night of August 21, Lviv once again came under a combined attack by kamikaze drones and missiles. The enemy hit a residential area on Olena Stepanivna Street—in the same district that Russians targeted a month ago.
One man was killed in the shelling. Three more people with injuries of varying severity were taken to St. Luke's Hospital. Among them are a 38-year-old woman with chest and lung injuries, a 62-year-old man with a penetrating head wound, who is undergoing surgery in critical condition, and a 52-year-old man with chest and leg injuries.
Photo by Yurko Dyachyshyn
According to city authorities, 26 residential buildings were damaged: windows were blown out in 155 apartments, and five roofs were torn off. Nine cars and a kindergarten were also affected, where the blast wave shattered about thirty windows. Children from this institution have been temporarily relocated to the neighboring Arnika kindergarten.
The Emergency Commission decided to relocate residents from 11 apartments that were left without roofs and windows. In total, this concerns 17 people. They will be housed in temporary accommodation, and later the victims will receive compensation for rent. “We will provide a roof over everyone’s head,” — emphasized Mayor Andriy Sadovyi.
Contributors:
Researcher, author: Vira Labych
Image editor: Olga Kovalova
Literary editor: Yulia Futey
Website manager: Vladislav Kukhar
