Odesa region was under Russian attack all day long
On August 16, 2026, the Odesa region faced repeated Russian drone strikes throughout the day, turning what should have been an ordinary Sunday into another day of alerts, destruction, and casualties. Russian forces used jet-powered attack drones, including Shahed-type munitions, to hit civilian infrastructure in the Odesa district and surrounding suburbs.
One of the main strikes targeted a shopping center and post office in the suburbs of Odesa. The attack partially destroyed the second floor of the commercial complex and damaged the postal facility. Fires broke out, and nearby residential buildings also suffered damage. Local reports indicated hits in the area of a major hypermarket.
According to official data, nine people were injured as a result of the two separate attacks on civilian objects. Among the wounded were three men aged 32–43 and a 42-year-old woman. Most of the injured were hospitalized. The Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal investigation under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war).
These daytime strikes continue the established pattern of Russian attacks on the Odesa region, which has faced frequent drone and missile assaults in recent weeks. Emergency services worked to extinguish fires and assist the wounded while residents once again sought shelter under air-raid alerts.
A march in Fedorov's support was held in Kyiv as protests entered the second month
On Sunday afternoon, several thousand people gathered in Kyiv for a protest march demanding the reinstatement of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, more than a month after his dismissal. By 7 p.m., demonstrators had assembled at the Arch of Freedom of the Ukrainian People, according to Kyiv Independent journalists at the scene.
The protesters said the march was intended to call for greater dialogue between the government and society and to hold President Volodymyr Zelensky accountable for controversial personnel decisions. Protest organizer and war veteran Dmytro Koziatynskyi said the rally was also meant to remind Zelensky that he must take responsibility for the consequences of such decisions.
Fedorov was dismissed in a government reshuffle in mid-July after being praised for reforms and for helping expand Ukraine's drone capabilities. Supporters have held rallies in Kyiv and other cities since then, demanding his return as defense minister.
The latest protest comes ahead of parliament's return from its summer break on August 18. Zelensky has not directly agreed to the protesters' demands and has instead offered Fedorov other senior government positions, including a possible role focused on military innovation. Fedorov has rejected those options, saying he would return to government only as defense minister.
Russia attacks Kyiv with ballistic missiles
Russian forces attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles overnight on Aug. 15-16, causing fires and damage at several non-residential sites in the capital.
According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, debris from the attack fell in the Obolonskyi district, where fires broke out at two locations and several cars caught fire near one of the buildings. A large fire was reported at the famous Petrivka book market near Pochaina metro station. The blast wave also caused minor damage to another building, while a separate non-residential structure was hit.
A fire also broke out at a non-residential site in the Holosiivskyi district. Kyiv authorities later reported that three people were injured in the attack.
Russia threatens to seriously damage the to relations with the US and Turkey over weapons shipments to Ukraine
The Kremlin has contacted officials in Washington and Ankara over Turkey's planned transfer of U.S.-made weapons to Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on August 15.
Zakharova warned that the delivery would cause “serious damage” to Russia's relations with both the U.S. and Turkey. Her comments came after U.S. congressional records revealed that Turkey plans to transfer a major weapons package to Ukraine, including 70 ATACMS missiles, 12 M270 MLRS systems, more than 2,000 cluster munitions and 47,000 howitzer rounds.
Moscow also argued that the arms transfer undermines U.S. and Turkish efforts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. Zakharova said the Russian Foreign Ministry had contacted Washington and Ankara seeking clarification about the planned delivery.
Turkey has maintained close economic and political ties with Russia while supporting Ukraine militarily and positioning itself as a potential mediator. Ankara previously helped facilitate the Black Sea Grain Initiative and hosted rounds of Ukraine-Russia negotiations.