Russia Strikes Kyiv, 17 Dead
PHOTO CAPTION: Firefighters work at a site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv region, Ukraine, August 5, 2026. REUTERS/Anatolii Stepanov
KYIV, Aug. 5 — Russia launched a large missile and drone attack against Kyiv and the surrounding region Wednesday, killing at least 17 people and damaging warehouses and logistics centers operated by major retailers, Ukrainian officials said.
Multiple explosions struck the area overnight, with fires visible above the capital.
Kyiv has faced missile attacks every three to four days in recent weeks as Russia intensifies its air campaign.
“Ballistic missile interceptors could have saved the lives of those killed today,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Telegram, urging Ukraine’s allies to replenish its interceptor supplies.
Zelenskiy said deliveries of air-defense missiles were three times smaller than in 2025.
Ukraine’s air force said its defenses destroyed nearly 90% of the 115 drones launched by Russia.
It said Ukrainian forces failed to intercept any of the 24 ballistic missiles or four Zircon cruise missiles fired during the attack.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it struck seven logistics centers in Kyiv and the surrounding region. Moscow alleged the facilities were being used to store or distribute dual-use goods and drone components.
Ukraine has faced a critical shortage of missiles for its U.S.-made Patriot systems, which are the only weapons in its arsenal capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
Since the U.S.-Iran war began in February, Patriot missiles intended for Ukraine have been redirected to the U.S. military and American allies in the Gulf.
Russia has increased its ballistic-missile attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities as its battlefield advances have slowed this year.
Eight killed near commuter station
More than 40 people were injured in Wednesday’s attack, officials said.
At a commuter station in the Kyiv suburb of Brovary, Reuters footage showed seven bodies across a platform and an eighth in nearby bushes.
“People missed their last train. For now, we know of eight dead,” said Volodymyr Bigun, head of Brovary’s local administration.
Bigun said five logistics warehouses in the district were hit, including a facility operated by food retailer Fozzy.
“The enemy continues to hit civilian infrastructure,” he said.
Russia and Ukraine both deny deliberately targeting civilians in the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Ukraine also struck a logistics hub operated by Russian online retailer Wildberries overnight, adding to more than a dozen company facilities damaged in recent Ukrainian attacks.
Retailers report major damage
Epicentr, Ukraine’s largest home-improvement and do-it-yourself retailer, said two major logistics facilities and a factory were destroyed within minutes.
The company said it was still evaluating the full extent of the damage.
“This is a deliberate attack on Ukrainian manufacturing, logistics, jobs and the country’s ability to recover,” Epicentr said.
Food retailer Silpo said at least six employees were killed and two distribution centers were set on fire.
Iryna Chechotkina, co-founder of online retailer Rozetka, said three ballistic missiles struck facilities associated with her company.
“How did I feel that night? Devastation and pain,” she wrote on Facebook. “A feeling that I must carry on despite everything. ROZETKA is still operating.”
The Kyiv regional military administration said 13 warehouses, one manufacturing facility, four private homes and dozens of vehicles were damaged.
Ukraine’s economy has remained resilient through more than four years of war with support from billions of dollars in Western financial aid, but business losses have increased this year.
Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi, who took office during a government reshuffle last month, said officials would hold an emergency meeting with businesses to discuss maintaining logistics and retail operations.
Ukraine is seeking additional PAC-3 missiles, the newest type of Patriot interceptor.
The United States is continuing discussions that could allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot missiles, despite Trump previously expressing doubts about such an agreement, four people familiar with the talks said.
(Source: Reuters)
