Large-scale drone and missile exchanges occur between Russia and Ukraine

On Sunday, August 16, 2026, Russia and Ukraine conducted significant overnight strikes against each other, targeting civilian and industrial infrastructure. Russian forces launched missiles at Kyiv and hit the ArcelorMittal steel plant in Kryvyi Rih, killing at least five people and injuring 14 others. The attack on the steel plant damaged power generation and blast furnace facilities, leading to a partial production halt. Meanwhile, in the Kyiv region, additional injuries were reported, including a child injured in drone strikes.

In retaliation, Ukraine launched what Russian authorities described as the largest drone attack of the year. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported over 600 drones intercepted, while the Russian defence ministry claimed a total of 822 drones were shot down. The strike hit a massive 250,000-square-metre Wildberries warehouse in the Moscow region, which Ukraine claims is now disabled. Separately, a NATO F-18 fighter intercepted and shot down a drone that entered Romanian airspace during the escalation. Both nations have intensified military operations in recent weeks, with this incident marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.