The week of August 2–8 in Ukraine was marked by large-scale Russian missile and drone strikes, Ukrainian attacks on Russian military and energy infrastructure, and intensified international efforts surrounding the war. The United States advanced a new sanctions package against Russia: on August 7, the Senate approved it by 86 votes to 11. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meanwhile visited Serbia, while Kyiv continued seeking additional missiles for Patriot systems amid shortages of air-defense capabilities.
Related: Weekly Digest of events in Ukraine (July 26 – August 1, 2026): a brief overview
Russian strikes on Kyiv kill civilians
On August 4, a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region killed 17 people and injured at least 44, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The strikes hit civilian and infrastructure facilities, including warehouse and production sites. Ukrainian authorities declared a day of mourning in Kyiv.
According to the Ukrainian side, one of the main problems remains a shortage of interceptor missiles for Patriot systems. Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs additional air-defense ammunition and the ability to increase domestic production. Kyiv discussed air-defense supplies with the United States and European partners.
Zaporizhzhia hit by guided aerial bombs
At the beginning of the week, Russian forces carried out a series of guided aerial bomb strikes on Zaporizhzhia. According to the Associated Press, eight such weapons were used over a period of about 90 minutes. A 71-year-old woman was killed, another 31 people were injured, and 22 apartment buildings were damaged.
Guided aerial bombs remain one of the main means used by Russian forces to strike cities and Ukrainian military positions. Their use from long distances complicates the work of Ukrainian air defenses because the bombs can be launched outside the engagement range of some air-defense systems.
Ukraine steps up strikes on Russian energy and logistics facilities
During the week, Ukrainian drones attacked targets far from the border. On August 2, strikes hit several Russian regions, killing at least five people, according to Russian authorities. One of the sites targeted was a Wildberries warehouse in the Samara region.
In the following days, Ukraine continued striking Russian energy infrastructure. On August 8, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported attacks on the Ilsky oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai and the refinery in Syzran in the Samara region. Russian authorities reported fires and casualties. Kyiv regards strikes on oil infrastructure as part of an effort to reduce Russia’s ability to supply its war effort with fuel.
U.S. Senate approves new sanctions package against Russia
On August 7, the U.S. Senate voted 86–11 to approve a bill imposing new sanctions on Russia and Iran. The legislation provides for additional restrictions on Russian officials, financial institutions and the energy sector, while also giving the U.S. president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas in significant volumes.
The bill is titled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, named after Senator Lindsey Graham, one of its main sponsors, who died in July. The legislation must now be considered by the House of Representatives. Its final passage will depend on the position of House lawmakers and further decisions by the Donald Trump administration.
Zelenskyy makes first visit to Serbia
On August 7, Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade for the first official visit by a Ukrainian president to Serbia. The following day, he held talks with President Aleksandar Vučić. The main topics included economic cooperation, energy, European integration and security.
Vučić said he supported Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity, but confirmed that Serbia’s position on sanctions against Russia remained unchanged. Belgrade continues to maintain energy ties with Moscow. Ukraine and Serbia also expressed an intention to complete negotiations on a free-trade agreement by the end of the year.
New strike hits Kyiv region on August 8
Overnight on August 8, Russia launched another large-scale attack on Ukraine, using six ballistic missiles and 151 drones, according to the Ukrainian military. A three-year-old child and his grandmother and grandfather were killed in the Kyiv region. Another person was killed in a missile strike on Kyiv.
The Ukrainian military said it had shot down or suppressed 135 of the 151 drones. At the same time, a shortage of missiles capable of intercepting ballistic targets remains one of the key problems facing Ukraine’s air defenses. Ukraine responded with strikes on oil-refining facilities in Russia.
Weekly summary
Air strikes against Ukraine remained intense throughout the week, while Kyiv expanded its use of long-range drones against Russian energy and logistics facilities. On the diplomatic front, the key developments were the progress of the sanctions bill in the U.S. Senate and Zelenskyy’s visit to Serbia.
The air-defense situation remains one of the central issues in military support for Ukraine. Further progress of the U.S. sanctions package through the House of Representatives, as well as decisions by allies on the supply of missile-defense systems, will be important for the continued protection of Ukrainian cities.
