Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine on 28 August, killing more than a dozen people and injuring dozens.
Several residential buildings were hit and the European Union’s delegation compound in Kyiv sustained damage; EU officials said staff were safe. The Ukrainian government described the assault as one of the biggest in recent months.
The latest barrage, involving missiles and drones, follows a pattern of intensified strikes against urban areas and infrastructure. Kyiv’s mayor reported multiple districts affected and emergency services working through collapsed structures. The Kremlin said it targeted military facilities; civilian casualties were nonetheless recorded across the city. The scale and timing of the attack prompted renewed appeals from Kyiv for additional air-defence systems and interceptors from Western partners.
The assault came less than a fortnight after the 15 August summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. No agreement was announced. Subsequent U.S. and Russian statements set out differing interpretations of the talks, and a follow-on Trump meeting with Ukraine’s president and European leaders did not produce a ceasefire.
Amid that diplomacy, Steve Witkoff—named by Washington as a special envoy—held contacts with Moscow. Reporting indicates he relayed what he described as Russian “peace proposals”, while providing shifting accounts and limited documentation. European officials were unsettled, and U.S. messaging appeared inconsistent, according to detailed reconstruction by Reuters.
The disparity between the diplomatic narrative and events on the ground has sharpened debate over Western policy, particularly in Washington. In recent days, the Pentagon has reportedly restricted Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles for strikes inside Russia, requiring case-by-case approvals. That approach, described by the Wall Street Journal and echoed in follow-up reporting, was framed as part of an effort to keep diplomatic channels open with Moscow. The policy has drawn criticism from those who argue it limits Ukraine’s ability to disrupt launch sites and logistics supporting cross-border attacks.
Pentagon has quietly curtailed Ukraine’s long-range strikes into Russia
For Kyiv, the 28 August attack reinforces two immediate priorities: sustaining air-defence coverage over major population centres and degrading Russia’s capacity to carry out large, coordinated salvos. Ukrainian officials argue that additional Patriot batteries, interceptor missiles and radar coverage are required ahead of winter. European leaders, including the European Commission President, condemned the latest strikes and expressed solidarity with Ukraine, while reiterating calls for Russia to halt attacks on civilian areas.
For Washington and European capitals, the episode poses familiar questions. First, whether diplomacy that seeks concessions from Kyiv before a verifiable reduction in Russian attacks is likely to succeed. Second, whether restrictions on Ukrainian targeting in Russia can be squared with the need to deter or disrupt further cross-border strikes. Third, how to maintain allied cohesion when public accounts of negotiations diverge between Moscow and Western officials.
The Alaska summit offered a momentary prospect of momentum, but the subsequent exchange of statements and the absence of concrete steps have left the conflict dynamics unchanged. Witkoff’s role—unusual by conventional diplomatic standards—has also drawn scrutiny from allies who favour established channels for high-stakes talks. The immediate aftermath of the Kyiv strike suggests that, for now, Russia retains both the intent and capability to prosecute large-scale attacks despite ongoing discussions.
As rescue work continues in Kyiv, casualty figures are expected to be updated. The Ukrainian government has reiterated requests for additional defence equipment and the loosening of engagement constraints to allow deeper strikes against launch platforms and storage sites. European institutions have condemned the attack; further sanctions or measures may be debated in the coming days. Whether the diplomatic track can be reconciled with these security imperatives remains uncertain; what is clear is that Thursday’s events have intensified pressure on Western policymakers to clarify objectives and tools.
Meeting In Alaska: A Big Deal Without Any Peace Deal, by Mykhailo Gonchar
