KYIV, AUG 9 (AP): Russia and Ukraine exchanged heavy strikes overnight that killed at least seven civilians and injured dozens more, according to local authorities. In Russia’s Belgorod border region, Ukrainian drone attacks killed five people and injured around two dozen, including a four-year-old boy. Officials reported damage to 29 apartment blocks, five private houses, administrative buildings and several commercial facilities.
Meanwhile, Russian missile strikes hit a high-rise apartment block in Kharkiv’s Saltivskyi district, killing two people and injuring 13. In Odesa, eight more civilians were wounded after “dozens of missiles and drones” targeted the Black Sea port city and surrounding areas. Large-scale Russian missile strikes have become frequent in recent weeks, exploiting Ukraine’s shortage of interceptors for US-made Patriot systems — the only defence capable of shooting down ballistic missiles. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged allies, particularly the US, to supply more Patriots or allow Ukraine to produce ammunition domestically.
He has also sought approval to use Elon Musk’s Starlink system to guide strikes against Russian launchers.
Kyiv has continued long-range drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and commercial targets, sparking fuel shortages. Russia’s defence ministry claimed its overnight strikes destroyed Ukrainian drone warehouses in Kharkiv and fuel depots in Odesa, while shooting down 153 Ukrainian drones over Crimea and the Black and Azov seas.
The escalating exchanges highlight the intensifying missile warfare, Ukraine’s air defence challenges, and the broader impact on civilians.
Thursday, August 13, 2026