Ukrainian Drones Strike Major Logistics Hub Near Moscow; Russia Launches Missile and Drone Barrage on Ukraine
Ukrainian drones targeted a large warehouse outside Moscow overnight, while Russia conducted missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, resulting in casualties and infrastructure damage.
The day on the war
Ukrainian forces launched a new wave of long-range drones overnight on August 19, striking a massive logistics center belonging to the Russian online retail giant Wildberries outside Moscow. The facility was reportedly still ablaze the following morning, with dark smoke visible from one of Russia's largest retail warehouses.
This attack is part of Ukraine's ongoing strategy to carry the war deeper into Russian territory, targeting industrial and logistical sites. In response, Russia continued its aerial campaign against Ukraine.
Overnight into August 19, Russian forces launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 65 drones of various types, including Shahed and Gerbera models, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Ukrainian air defense systems reportedly destroyed or jammed 58 of these aerial targets.
Additionally, a Russian missile strike on a village in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region killed at least 10 people and wounded eight others. A drone strike in Zaporizhzhia also resulted in one fatality and six injuries, causing damage to residential and non-residential buildings. [5, 9, 14, 20]
Along the front
Pokrovsk
Development: Russian forces launched 16 attacks, attempting to advance near Udachne, Novooleksandrivka, Bilytske, Novyi Donbas, Shevchenko, Serhiivka, Vasylivka, and Myrne.
Source: UA General Staff (as of August 18, 22:00) [34]
Sloviansk
Development: Ukraine's Defense Forces repelled 10 Russian attempts to advance near Riznykivka, Kryva Luka, Zakitne, Rai-Oleksandrivka, and Mykolaivka.
Source: UA General Staff (as of August 18, 22:00) [34]
Kostiantynivka
Development: Ukrainian forces repelled 12 Russian assaults near Kostiantynivka, Novoselivka, Sofiivka, Dolha Balka, and Stepanivka.
Source: UA General Staff (as of August 18, 22:00) [34]
Huliaipole
Development: Ukrainian forces repelled 11 Russian attacks toward Novoselivka, Rivne, Dobropillia, Zaliznychne, Lisne, and Charivne.
Source: UA General Staff (as of August 18, 22:00) [34]
Strikes & the grid
| Location | What | Toll |
|---|---|---|
| Moscow region | Ukrainian long-range drones struck a large Wildberries logistics center, causing a significant fire. | The warehouse remained ablaze, with dark smoke rising. [3, 20] |
| Kharkiv region | A Russian missile strike hit a village, demolishing homes. | At least 10 people killed and eight wounded. [5] |
| Zaporizhzhia | A Russian drone strike. | One person killed and six injured; residential and non-residential buildings damaged. [9] |
| Ukraine (various regions) | Russian forces launched 2 Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 65 Shahed, Gerbera, Banderol, and Parodiya drones. | Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed or jammed 58 aerial assets. [14] |
| Ukraine | A massive Russian attack targeted a DTEK thermal power plant. | The plant completely ceased generating electricity. [9] |
Diplomacy & talks
Frozen Russian Assets. Ukraine's acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated on August 18 that it is time to revive discussions and establish clear legal mechanisms for using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, citing over $600 billion in war damage. [23, 27]
Aid & sanctions
United States
Measure: New bill introduced in Senate
Detail: Senators Tim Kaine, John Cornyn, Chris Coons, Roger Wicker, Chuck Grassley, and Sheldon Whitehouse introduced legislation to allow Ukraine to use frozen Russian assets, estimated between $5 billion and $7 billion, for weapons purchases. [16]
What we'll be watching next 72h
- Continued Ukrainian long-range drone strikes targeting Russian infrastructure.
- Further Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy facilities.
- Developments regarding the proposed US bill to use frozen Russian assets for military aid to Ukraine.
- Any official responses or further discussions on wartime elections in Ukraine, following calls from ousted Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. [17, 40]
Reporting + analyst voices: grounded via Google Search at publish time.