Russian strategic aviation launched multiple groups of cruise missiles and Shahed drones targeting Cherkasy, Poltava, Sumy, and Kyiv regions between 3:16 AM and 4:16 AM UTC on February 26, 2026, prompting air alerts across Ukraine, according to real-time updates from the 'Стратегічна авіація рф' channel and Andriy Smoliı. Three groups headed for Smila and Chornobai in Cherkasy region, one for Hadyach in Poltava, additional missiles for Sumy, and seven groups for Kamyanka in Cherkasy. Andriy Smoliı reported several Shaheds heading toward Vyshhorod and Brovary near Kyiv, with missiles turning toward Kirovohrad region repeating a prior route, and about 12 missiles nearing Cherkasy and Smila, as posted on his Telegram channel during the 59-minute window. The attacks occurred hours after the Supernova+ leak of Russia's 'Cold Anchor' plan to wind down Ukraine hostilities by May 2026, which includes a 'silence regime' from March 1 limiting artillery and strikes, per the previous Moscow report, though no immediate connection was stated by sources.
