127 missiles and 109 drones: Zelensky holds meeting with key ministers after Monday attack
Source: Volodymyr Zelensky/Telegram
President Volodymyr Zelensky held an urgent meeting of the Supreme Commander’s Staff on August 26 to assess the impact of a massive Russian assault on Ukraine’s infrastructure.
Zelensky reportedly revealed that Russian forces had launched at least 127 missiles and 109 drones in the coordinated attack that targeted cities across the country. Among those invited to the meeting were air force commander Mykola Oleschuk, internal minister Ihor Klymenko, energy ministerHerman Halushchenko, and Ukrenergo chairman Volodymyr Kudrytsky.
The Ukrainian leader said the session focused on evaluating the “effectiveness of air defense systems, electronic warfare, mobile fire units, and engineering protection” across various regions. The discussion helped work out “appropriate decisions” to address the aftermath of the attack.
Efforts to repair and clear mines at the impacted sites are currently underway. The attacks also included the use of cluster munitions targeting civilian areas.
The meeting featured a report from commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi on the front-line situation, particularly regarding the defense of Pokrovsk.
The staff decided on additional “reinforcement measures” to bolster defenses in this Donbas area.
After the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine witnessed an unprecedented wave of private support for the army. Citizens, big businesses, charitable foundations, and international philanthropists began financing the country’s defense alongside state assistance provided by international partners. Estimates of total private contributions range from tens to hundreds of billions of hryvnias. However, determining the exact amount remains difficult. In many cases, companies combine military aid, humanitarian programs, tax payments, social spending, and employee support in their reporting.
Rinat Akhmetov’s military initiative, “Steel Front”, has delivered a batch of drones worth UAH 214 million to the 1st “Azov” Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine. This shipment is part of the Metinvest Group’s ongoing support for the unit in 2025.
On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.
Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.
Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.