Key facts
- Russia conducted widespread missile and drone strikes across Ukraine early Thursday.
- At least 13 people were killed and dozens injured in the attacks.
- Kyiv, Odesa, and Chernihiv were among the targeted regions.
- Damage was reported to apartment buildings, a children's hospital, and a school in Kyiv.
- A drone entered Romanian airspace before crashing in an uninhabited area.
Russia launched a significant missile and drone offensive across Ukraine early Thursday, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and numerous injuries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the hours-long assault targeted Kyiv and its surrounding region, as well as Odesa and Chernihiv. In the capital, apartment buildings, a children's hospital, and a school sustained damage. Zelenskyy stated that 12 people died in Kyiv and one in the surrounding region, with approximately 40 injured. He criticized the international response to such strikes, emphasizing that Russia will not seriously consider peace without sufficient anti-ballistic defense systems, noting that U.S.-made Patriot interceptors are irreplaceable. Russia's defense ministry claimed to have used various weapons to strike military facilities and warehouses, also asserting the downing of 726 Ukrainian drones. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko designated August 21 as a day of mourning for the victims. The widespread attacks also heightened alert levels in neighboring NATO countries, with Romania reporting a drone entering its airspace and Poland scrambling military aircraft.