Deadly Drone Attacks Rock Ukraine and Russia Amid Escalating Conflict

Five people have been killed in recent overnight and weekend strikes as Ukraine and Russia continue to trade intense drone attacks. The escalating conflict saw casualties reported on both sides, with Ukrainian officials confirming three deaths in Dnipropetrovsk and Russian authorities reporting two fatalities in Rostov following a Ukrainian drone strike.

On Saturday, Ukraine reported Russia launched over 200 drones and nearly 30 missiles, primarily targeting the Dnipropetrovsk region, where a residential block, industrial areas, and a shopping centre were hit. Six people were also injured in these strikes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks, stating on X that such actions “cannot be left without response” and that Ukrainian long-range drones would ensure retaliation, aiming to bring “real consequences” to Russian military sites and airports.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed on Saturday to have captured two villages, Zelenyi Hai in Donetsk and Maliivka in Dnipropetrovsk. President Zelensky, in turn, provided an update on X, asserting that Ukrainian forces were successfully pushing Russian troops back in the Sumy region, despite it remaining a priority direction for the enemy. Reports also suggested the liberation of Kindrativka village in the Sumy region. Zelensky also highlighted “51 intense combat engagements” in the Pokrovsk area of Donetsk, where Ukrainian troops were defending their positions.

The renewed intensity of drone exchanges follows a brief, unsuccessful third round of ceasefire talks held in Istanbul earlier in the week. The delegations met on Wednesday evening but failed to achieve any breakthroughs towards ending the conflict, with both sides accusing the other of rejecting their proposals. These recent talks were preceded by two earlier rounds in May and June, initiated at the request of US President Donald Trump, who has consistently called for an end to the conflict ignited by Russia’s 2022 invasion.

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