Two people died when Russian drones struck a crossing between Ukraine and Moldova, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed during a briefing. The Starokozache crossing was shut after the attack, with images showing burnt‑out cars and debris scattered along the road.
Nearby, a nine‑storey building in Kyiv was hit by a drone, killing a woman and leaving 14 injured, including two children. In Russia, a Ukrainian drone missile struck the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, killing four and injuring 29, while a separate shot at an industrial site in the Arctic city of Novy Urengoy caused a fire but no casualties.
Russian defence officials say their forces shot down 596 Ukrainian drones overnight, and the Kremlin remains reluctant to set concrete dates for talks with Kyiv. Despite diplomatic efforts, both sides continue to extend long‑range strikes across the region.
Zelensky called for urgent international backing after the Starokozache incident, asserting that “the aggression must be stopped here and now before it spreads further.” The crossing, about 500km south of Kyiv, was stopped following the attack that killed two and hurt three, with Odesa regional head Oleh Kiper noting a Moldovan driver was also injured.
Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan highlighted that 17 drones struck its territory in August alone, far exceeding last year’s total, and warned that ignoring the threat would serve to deny reality. He added “Russia started this war. Russia alone bears responsibility,” reminding the international community of the conflict’s origins. The full‑scale invasion began in February 2022, and the escalating campaign has drawn the world’s attention to this tragic frontier.
