Ukraine launches massive drone attack on Russia

On August 16, 2026, Ukraine launched one of its largest aerial attacks of the war, sending hundreds of drones across Russia. Russia's Ministry of Defence reported destroying 822 Ukrainian drones overnight, with Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin stating that 600 drones were detected heading toward the Moscow region. The attack killed at least six people in Russia, including five in the Rostov region and one in the Moscow region. Ukrainian forces also targeted a Wildberries warehouse in Podolsk, causing a major fire. In retaliation, Russia launched missile and drone strikes on Ukraine, killing at least five people, including two in Kryvyi Rih and one in Sumy, and causing fires in Kyiv. A Spanish F-18 fighter jet under NATO command shot down a drone that entered Romanian airspace near the Moldova border. The attack underscores Ukraine's expanded long-range strike capabilities and the escalating drone duel spilling toward NATO's eastern flank.