Russian forces launched a large-scale, coordinated aerial attack across multiple regions of Ukraine on the night of August 21, 2025. The offensive involved an extensive deployment of over 500 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and numerous missiles, resulting in widespread damage and casualties. The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting a substantial portion of the incoming threats, successfully downing 546 Russian UAVs and 31 missiles, including one of four Kinzhal missiles, 18 of 19 Kh-101 missiles, and 12 of 14 Kalibr missiles. Russia's Ministry of Defense reported the interception of 49 drones over Russian regions.
In the western Zakarpattia region, an industrial enterprise in Mukachevo was targeted by two Kalibr missiles around 4:40 AM. The strike caused significant damage to warehouse facilities, igniting a large fire and producing substantial smoke. Authorities reported that twelve individuals sustained injuries of varying severity, with six requiring hospitalization. The targeted facility was identified as a major American electronics manufacturer, a fact highlighted by Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister, who condemned the attack as a deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure with no military justification.
The city of Lviv also experienced significant impact. Mayor Andriy Sadovyi reported that the blast wave from the attacks damaged dozens of homes, shattering windows and tearing off roofs. Tragically, one person was confirmed dead, and two others were injured, with one in critical condition. A third casualty, a 38-year-old woman, was hospitalized with chest wounds and lung injuries.
Attacks were also registered in other regions, including Sumy and Chernihiv. In Sumy, an explosion was heard around 5:15 AM, and in Chernihiv, an incident occurred shortly after midnight. Zaporizhzhia experienced damage to several industrial infrastructure sites, with nearby residential buildings sustaining damage to their windows. Preliminary reports indicated no civilian casualties in Zaporizhzhia.
This extensive offensive represents a notable increase in the scale of attacks, with the Ukrainian Air Force noting that the number of drones and missiles deployed made it one of the largest aerial assaults of the conflict. The attacks occurred amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating the conflict, underscoring the persistent challenges in achieving a lasting peace.