Russia conducted another large-scale aerial attack on Ukraine during the night of 8 September, deploying 142 strike drones across multiple regions and damaging civilian infrastructure and energy systems.

The attacks on 8 September involved Shahed-type drones, “Gerbera” drones, and other unmanned aircraft launched from four separate directions. Ukrainian defense forces successfully intercepted 112 of the attacking drones, according to the Air Force Command.

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Russia targets Ukraine’s energy sites

Russian drones specifically targeted Ukraine’s energy sector, with one thermal generation facility in Kyiv Oblast coming under what the Ministry of Energy described as “massive Russian shelling.”

The ministry stated that the attack aimed to “cause even more difficulties for the peaceful population of Ukraine, to leave Ukrainian homes, hospitals, kindergartens and schools without light and heat.”

The Ministry of Energy emphasized that generation facilities, electricity transmission and distribution systems, and gas infrastructure are civilian rather than military targets. 

Damage from Russian strikes in Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk areas

In Kyiv Oblast, the attacks resulted in a fire at an industrial enterprise, which rescue teams successfully extinguished without casualties. Blast waves also damaged a shopping center and fitness club in the vicinity.

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine experienced separate attacks on Pokrovska, Mezhivska, and Bohdanivska communities. The strikes ignited fires at a fire protection administrative building, a kitchen and an outbuilding at a private residence, the State Emergency Service reported. No casualties were recorded in these incidents.

Russian forces deployed rocket-propelled Shahed drones during the overnight attack on Kyiv on 28 August, according to Yurii Ihnat, head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command.

These modified drones exhibit flight parameters resembling cruise missiles, Ihnat told Hromadske.

The Ukrainian Air Force first documented these jet-powered strike drones during summer operations. Ihnat explained that while cruise missiles typically reach speeds of 700 km/h, the rocket-propelled Shaheds operate at 300-500 km/h.

“They are difficult to shoot down,” the military official added.

Russia has not yet deployed these modified drones en masse, according to Ihnat.

“Previous times we recorded eight units. This time there were also some, but not many,” Ihnat said, declining to specify the exact number of rocket-powered drones launched against Kyiv during the 28 August attack.

During the latest attack on Kyiv, Russian forces employed various weapons and different drone types. Beyond conventional and rocket-propelled Shaheds, Russia deployed decoy drones, which they have also begun equipping with explosive warheads.

Russian forces launched 31 missiles and 598 drones against Ukraine during the overnight attack on 28 August. Current casualty reports indicate 18 dead and nearly 40 injured from the nighttime bombardment, including children.

The Russian strikes damaged the European Union representation building in Ukraine and the British Council office in Kyiv. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha declared the diplomatic facility attacks constitute direct violations of the Vienna Convention, emphasizing such strikes require condemnation from the EU and the international community.

Additional damage occurred to the offices of Ukrainska Pravda and Radio Svoboda media outlets, a Nova Poshta sorting depot where three people were injured, Ukrzaliznytsia’s high-speed train park, and other facilities. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces targeted a residential building in Kyiv with two missiles, destroying the structure.