Russian forces conducted a missile attack on Kyiv beginning shortly after midnight on 20 August that lasted nearly nine hours and struck residential buildings, a school, and a children's hospital across three districts. At least eight people died in the Solomianskyi district where upper floors of a nine-storey apartment block were destroyed and others remained trapped under rubble. Kyiv authorities declared 21 August a day of mourning while President Zelenskyy requested additional air-defense systems.