In brief
The latest drone war between Russia and Ukraine has seen a surge in casualties, with nine people killed and 23 injured in Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory. Russian forces have reported casualties as well, including deaths in Belgorod, Astrakhan and the Moscow region. Both sides continue to target each other’s infrastructure, including Wildberries logistics centres and Ukrainian missile production facilities, causing widespread destruction and civilian harm.
Russia and Ukraine trade more deadly strikes in a widening conflict.
Nine people were killed and 23 injured—including a child—in Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, local officials confirmed. The casualties were spread across Belgorod, Astrakhan, the Moscow region and the urban neighbourhoods of Donetsk.
Russian forces countered with strikes that left five dead in Russia’s south‑western Rostov and a civilian bus bombed in Belgorod. A Wildberries logistics centre in the Moscow region was hit, further crippling the Russian e‑commerce network.
Both sides have targeted each other’s infrastructure: Ukraine has pressed deep into Russia with drones, while Russia has struck back at Ukrainian missiles factories and missile delivery points.
The escalating violence has resulted in 13 Ukrainian regions being attacked last week, while Russia launched over 1,500 drone and bomb strikes on Ukrainian territory.
Civilian casualties are a stark and growing reality on both sides, with fires and explosions causing injuries and dead bodies in residential areas.
The international community watches as the war deepens, with each side accusing the other of indiscriminate targeting. The trend of “trade” in deadly strikes indicates a grim escalation that may persist unless diplomatic solutions emerge.
