As Ukraine nears the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion, a massive combined strike of drones and missiles targeted the capital’s suburbs and several other regions. The overnight assault on February 22, 2026, underscores a renewed Russian focus on critical infrastructure and residential centers.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Human Toll
The strikes primarily impacted the Kyiv region, leaving a trail of destruction in five outlying districts:
- Fatalities: A 49-year-old man was killed in the town of Fastiv.
- Rescues: Emergency crews pulled eight survivors, including a child, from the rubble of destroyed homes in Putrivka.
- Injuries: Multiple civilians, including a woman and a child, remain hospitalized following the hits in the Obukhiv and Bucha districts.
Defense Statistics: “One of the Most Intense”
The Ukrainian Air Force reported an unprecedented volume of projectiles aimed at exhausting air defense stockpiles.
| Category | Launched | Intercepted | Success Rate |
| Drones (Shahed-type) | 297 | 274 | ~92% |
| Missiles (Ballistic/Cruise) | 50 | 33 | ~66% |
Despite a high interception rate, 14 missiles and 23 drones bypassed defenses, striking 14 different locations across the country.
Beyond the Capital: A Nationwide Crisis
The offensive triggered alarms across Ukraine and neighboring NATO territory:
- Odesa’s Energy Crisis: Persistent drone strikes on energy hubs have left thousands without heat. With local temperatures plummeting to -10°C, the humanitarian situation in the south is becoming critical.
- Lviv Incident: A separate explosion in western Ukraine killed one person and injured 25. While occurring during the barrage, officials are investigating if this was a direct strike or an unrelated incident.
- Regional Security: In response to the proximity of the Russian long-range aviation, Poland scrambled fighter jets to protect its airspace along the eastern border.
