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Russian Missile Barrage Exposes Dangerous Gaps in Ukraine's Defenses

A massive wave of 139 drones and missiles leaves 21 dead as Kyiv's depleted air defense systems struggle to hold the line.

Foreign PolicyPublished August 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Anastasiia Dudley with her hand on her head

The reality of modern warfare has once again hit home in Ukraine, where a massive Russian strike involving 115 drones and 24 ballistic missiles resulted in the deaths of 21 people and left dozens more injured.

While Ukrainian forces managed to intercept a portion of the incoming drone swarm, the sheer volume of the attack exposed the dangerous fragility of Kyiv's current air defense posture. Depleted interceptor supplies meant that several ballistic missiles successfully bypassed defenses, causing widespread destruction.

Among the victims of this escalation was Anastasiia Dudley, whose home near Kyiv was severely damaged during what she described as the most terrifying night of the conflict.

This brutal display of force underscores the high stakes of the ongoing war and the urgent necessity for Ukraine to maintain the military hardware required to protect its sovereignty against relentless aggression.

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ukrainerussiaforeign-policywarfarenational-security

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