Russia Launches Massive Drone and Missile Barrage Across Ukraine; Air Defenses Intercept Most
Ukrainian air defenses reported intercepting 137 out of 164 Russian drones in an overnight attack, as strikes targeted infrastructure across several regions.
The day on the war
Russia conducted a large-scale drone and missile attack across Ukraine overnight from August 27 to 28, targeting various civilian and industrial infrastructure. The Ukrainian Air Force reported neutralizing 137 of the 164 drones launched, which included Shahed-type, Gerbera, and Parodiya decoy drones.
Russian forces reportedly deployed half of the Shahed-type drones as jet-powered variants. The attacks struck ports, grain storage facilities, energy infrastructure, and industrial sites in regions including Kyiv, Poltava, Odesa, and Kryvyi Rih.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that the strikes targeted critical infrastructure. In Kharkiv, one person was killed and two injured in a lunchtime attack on a shopping center.
A retail distribution center and a toy company shipment hub near Kyiv were hit, and a warehouse belonging to the Roshen chocolate firm outside Kyiv was destroyed. Additionally, a thermal power plant in Kherson lost all generating capacity following a Russian attack, according to Naftogaz CEO Sergiy Fedorenko.
Along the front
Slavyansk-Kramatorsk axis
Development: Russian units are breaking through Ukrainian defensive lines, with the front line reportedly collapsing in this sector.
Source: Russian military expert Andrei Marochko (retired LPR lieutenant colonel)
Occupied Luhansk Oblast
Development: Ukrainian drones are increasingly striking Russian logistics, hitting fuel and cargo vehicles near Novopokrovka, Aidar, Starobilsk, Yamy, and Nyzhnia Duvanka.
Source: Source reporting on Russian Western Grouping of Forces, cited by ISW
Strikes & the grid
| Location | What | Toll |
|---|---|---|
| Across Ukraine | Russia launched 164 drones (Shahed-type, Gerbera, Parodiya decoys), with Ukrainian air defense neutralizing 137. | 137 drones neutralized; various infrastructure damaged. |
| Kharkiv | A lunchtime attack struck a shopping center. | One person killed and two injured. |
| Kyiv area | Strikes hit a retail distribution center, a toy company shipment hub, and a Roshen chocolate firm warehouse. | Warehouse destroyed, damage to other facilities. |
| Kherson | A thermal power plant was attacked. | All generating capacity lost. |
Diplomacy & talks
US–Russia bilateral talks. US Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow, with ISW suggesting discussions aimed at deterring a potential Russian act of aggression against a NATO member.
What we'll be watching next 72h
- Analysts will be watching for any further indications of a potential Russian act of aggression against a NATO member, as suggested by the recent visit of the US CIA Director to Moscow.
Reporting + analyst voices: grounded via Google Search at publish time.