At least 377 Ukrainian civilians were killed and 2,129 injured in Russian attacks this month, according to Ukrainian government figures cited by CNN on August 26. This marks the highest civilian toll since the war began in February 2022.

Ballistic Missiles and Drones Target Kyiv

In the early hours of the same day, Russian forces launched seven ballistic missiles and 136 drones at Kyiv and other areas, while At least six people were killed and dozens injured, including two 9-year-old children. Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed a ballistic missile attack on the Ukrainian capital.

Separately, the Kyiv city military administration reported that Russian strikes damaged residential buildings, a medical facility, and an educational institution, At least five people were killed and 23 injured in the capital. Another attack in the Brovary district of the Kyiv region killed one person and wounded another — Local authorities reported damage to an industrial facility, with emergency services working to extinguish the fire.

Record Missiles and North Korean Involvement

July 2026 marked the highest monthly surge of Russian ballistic missile launches of the year, with 126 missiles fired. Ukrainian air defenses briefly resumed intercepting Russian ballistic missiles after an announcement by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of an incoming PAC-3 shipment, but interceptions stopped by month’s end.

On July 30, air defense forces shot down just one of nine incoming missiles, and on August 1, they downed one of 27, a July 29 overnight attack included dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones, killing eight people across Ukraine. In the settlement of Radushne near Kryvyi Rih, a missile destroyed a residential house, killing at least six members of a family inside.

Preliminary investigations suggest the missile used in the attack was a North Korean KN-23 or KN-24, the first such use in nearly a year. Military sources said the deployment indicated Moscow had secured a new shipment of North Korean munitions to sustain its intensified campaign, supported by ongoing North Korean supply of artillery shells and military personnel.

Ukrainian Counteroffensive Gains Ground

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have launched a major offensive in the Dnipropetrovsk region, nearly clearing the area of Russian forces. Maj. Gen. Oleksandr Komarenko, head of the Main Operational Directorate of Ukraine’s General Staff, confirmed the operation, saying that Ukrainian troops have already liberated over 400 square kilometers (154 square miles) of territory.

“Almost the entire territory of the Dnipropetrovsk region has been liberated,” Komarenko said, noting that only three small settlements remain to be fully cleared. He added that Russian forces had been trying to advance in the region to establish a buffer zone, but the Ukrainian military has reversed the trend, with more territory gained than lost in February.

As Russian attacks continue to escalate, Ukraine is also stepping up its own operations deep within Russian territory, according to Kyiv and Western officials.