'Get Ready For Blowback': Putin Signals Ukraine War Could Escalate, Kyiv Faces Ballistic Missile Threat

News world 'Get Ready For Blowback': Putin Signals Ukraine War Could Escalate, Kyiv Faces Ballistic Missile Threat

'Get Ready For Blowback': Putin Signals Ukraine War Could Escalate, Kyiv Faces Ballistic Missile Threat

Published By :

,

Last Updated: August 27, 2026, 17:59 IST

Russia has intensified missile and drone strikes on Ukraine as peace talks stall, with Moscow weighing further attacks amid a growing air-defence challenge for Kyiv.

Rapid Read

Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AFP photo)

Russia bombarded cities across Ukraine with missiles and drones overnight, with the attack continuing into Thursday morning and explosions reported around Kyiv.

The Russian Defence Ministry said the “massive" strike targeted war-related facilities in nine Ukrainian cities, including industrial sites, oil refineries, logistics hubs and port infrastructure. Ukrainian officials said civilian areas, including apartment buildings, were also damaged.

At least two people were killed a 78-year-old woman in the Zaporizhzhia region and another person in Kharkiv while at least 14 others were wounded, according to Ukrainian officials.

The strikes come as people close to the Kremlin say Russia is considering further intensification of its attacks after negotiations for a peace deal reached a dead end. Moscow is reportedly weighing stronger conventional ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv, including the capital’s centre, along with infrastructure targets elsewhere.

Kyiv Faces Air Defence Shortage

Ukraine is facing a shortage of US-made Patriot air-defence missiles capable of countering Russian ballistic missiles. Ukrainian officials say Moscow has been building missile stocks and launching major attacks every few days in an effort to overwhelm Ukrainian defences.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for additional air-defence assistance from Europe, including ballistic missile defence packages involving US weapons.

Diplomacy Shows Little Progress

US efforts to broker an end to the war have so far failed to produce a breakthrough. Moscow has also moved away from what it believed was an understanding reached between Putin and US President Donald Trump at their Alaska summit last August.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow on Tuesday for talks with Russian officials, while US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Moscow, although no dates have been announced.

Car Explosion In St Petersburg

Separately, a car carrying a Russian military serviceman and his wife exploded in St Petersburg on Thursday. Russian media reported that the man, identified by Fontanka as a lieutenant colonel, was killed and his wife was injured.

Russia’s Investigative Committee confirmed one person was killed and another injured but did not identify the deceased as military personnel. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Nuclear Concerns Remain

The escalation has renewed discussion about the possibility of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons, but there is no sign that Moscow is currently preparing to use them.

China and India have warned against the use of tactical nuclear weapons. Zelenskyy and a senior European official said China had urged Russia not to consider detonating such weapons in Ukraine.

Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center director Alexander Gabuev said the risk remained extremely low, arguing that Russia still has room to escalate through conventional weapons.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Quick Answers Powered by Ask News18 Will Ukraine receive more air defense systems soon? Ukraine is developing its own Freyja missile defence system with European partners to reduce reliance on US-made Patriot interceptors. This project aims for its first successful ballistic missile interception by mid-2027. Additionally, Ukraine and Germany signed an agreement on anti-ballistic capabilities, with a goal to see concrete outcomes by winter. Ukraine has also pressed the US to allow domestic production of Patriot systems. What impact will new missile strikes have on Kyiv? New missile strikes could involve stronger conventional ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv, including the city's centre and other infrastructure targets. Russia has intensified ballistic missile attacks to deplete Kyiv's air defence stocks. Ukraine is facing a shortage of US-made Patriot air-defence missiles needed to counter Russian ballistic missiles. Could the conflict escalate to nuclear weapons use? A growing number of Russian officials reportedly believe President Vladimir Putin could use tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine as peace talks remain stalled and the war continues. Putin and his aides have frequently threatened nuclear attacks since the full-scale invasion began four years ago. For Putin, losing the war would be worse than continuing it, making a nuclear strike possible. China and India have warned against the use of tactical nuclear weapons. Powered by Ask News18

Location : Moscow, Russia

First Published: August 27, 2026, 17:59 IST

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...