Key facts
- Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv on Aug. 20, resulting in at least 15 deaths and dozens of injuries.
- Civilian infrastructure, including a children's hospital, was damaged in the Kyiv attacks.
- Ukraine conducted retaliatory strikes on the Taneco oil refinery in Tatarstan and an oil terminal in Krasnodar Krai.
- Ukrainian forces also targeted Russian drone launch sites in Primorsko-Akhtarsk and occupied Donetsk.
- Ukraine's Military Intelligence claims Russia possesses approximately 50 Kinzhal missiles and has paused their production.
Russia launched a massive ballistic missile and drone barrage on Kyiv and surrounding areas shortly after midnight on August 20, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more, officials reported. The hours-long attack, which involved consecutive explosions across the city, damaged civilian infrastructure, including a children's hospital, and disrupted services. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the attack was extensive, with Russians preparing for a long time and using various missile and drone types to maximize damage to civilian infrastructure.
In response to the attacks, Ukraine conducted retaliatory strikes overnight on August 20. The General Staff confirmed that Ukraine struck the Taneco oil refinery in Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan, and an oil terminal in Krasnodar Krai. The Taneco refinery, owned by Tatneft, is a major producer of petroleum products and has been targeted previously. Ukraine's Military Intelligence (HUR) also reported striking airfields in Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Russian-occupied Donetsk, targeting sites used for launching long-range drones, damaging ground components and drone launchers.
HUR also claimed that Russia still possesses approximately 50 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles, despite having paused production to improve accuracy. Leaked documents suggest each Kinzhal costs around $4.5 million to produce, with plans for further production.
Separately, Arsen Zhumadilov, director of Ukraine's Defense Ministry's Defense Procurement Agency, announced on August 20 that he has submitted his resignation, effective August 31. This announcement comes as Ukraine's parliament backed the appointment of Evhen Khmara as the new defense minister.