Russia Launches Massive Attack on Ukraine with Drones and Missiles

On the night of August 19, 2025, Russia carried out a significant assault on Ukraine, deploying 270 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and 10 missiles, as reported by the Ukrainian Air Force. This attack marks one of the largest in recent times and highlights the ongoing escalation of the conflict.

According to the Air Force’s statement, Ukrainian air defense forces successfully shot down or suppressed 230 drones during the assault. Out of the five Iskander-M ballistic missiles launched, two were destroyed, along with four of the five Kh-101 cruise missiles. The remnants of the four missiles and 40 drones impacted 16 locations across Ukraine, with debris falling in three areas.

As local authorities and emergency services work to assess the damage and eliminate the consequences of the attack, information regarding casualties and the extent of destruction is still being clarified.

In a related incident, a source reported a powerful strike on the Kremenchug Oil Refinery, an energy facility located in the Poltava region of Ukraine. The attack resulted in dozens of fires on the refinery’s premises, confirmed by satellite imagery taken around 3-4 AM local time. Eyewitnesses described hearing strong explosions and witnessing large-scale fires engulfing the refinery’s infrastructure.

The Kremenchug refinery is a crucial component of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and damage to this facility could significantly impact fuel supplies in the region. As of the time of publication, there were no official comments from Ukrainian authorities or the Ministry of Energy regarding the attack.

This latest offensive follows a series of strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities, including a recent raid on gas infrastructure in the Lubny area of the Poltava region, further intensifying concerns about the stability of Ukraine’s energy supply amidst the ongoing conflict.