Russia and Ukraine have exchanged a fresh wave of intense strikes, leaving casualties and widespread destruction on both sides. A prominent market in Kyiv was reportedly gutted in Russian strikes, while Ukraine claimed to have targeted a missile fuel production facility in Russia's Rostov region.

The escalation comes amid reports that British-made drones are being used in Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russian territory, including attacks targeting facilities near Moscow.

Meanwhile, a NATO F-18 fighter reportedly shot down a drone that breached Romanian airspace, marking another serious development along NATO's eastern flank.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also called for greater international support to protect Ukraine's cultural heritage sites. At the same time, Germany, France and the UK are reportedly working on their own negotiating framework amid concerns that Europe could be excluded from future US-led Russia-Ukraine peace talks.

Russia-Ukraine War Escalates: Deadly Strikes, British Drones Hit Deep Inside Russia 

The Russia-Ukraine war has witnessed another deadly escalation. Authorities report that at least five people were killed in a drone attack in Moscow, while Russian forces launched fresh strikes on Ukraine's Sumy region.

The latest attacks come amid continuing cross-border drone warfare and intensified military operations on both sides. As Moscow and Kyiv exchange strikes, concerns are growing over the widening scope of the conflict and its impact on civilians.

Here's the latest on the Moscow drone attack, the strike on Sumy, and what these developments mean for the broader Russia-Ukraine war.


Moscow drone attack: 5 killed as Russia targets Ukraine's Sumy 

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<p>Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Wednesday (August 9) that Russian forces shot down two combat drones headed for the capital. Taking to Telegram, mayor Sobyanin said one drone was downed in the Domodedovo area on the southern outskirts of Moscow, while the second was shot down in the Minsk highway area, west of the capital.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Two combat drones' attempt to fly into the city was recorded. Both were shot down by air defence," Sobyanin said without naming an attacker. "At the moment, there is no information about victims of the fall of the wreckage," the mayor also said, adding, emergency services were on the ground.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The surging drone attacks in Moscow</strong></h2>

<p>Wednesday's incident is the latest in a series of surge in drone attacks targetting Moscow. On Monday, the Russian government claimed to have shot down a Ukrainian drone southwest of Moscow. The incident in the Kaluga region, less than 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Moscow, "affected neither people nor infrastructure", regional governor Vladislav Shapsha wrote on Telegram.</p>

<p>This comes after the defence ministry said it downed seven drones near Kaluga. And last Sunday, another drone targeting the Russian capital was shot down.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the ongoing war was coming to Russia, with the country's "symbolic centres and military bases" becoming targets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia — to its symbolic centres and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process," Zelensky said on July 30 during a visit to the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk.</p>

<p>“Ukraine is getting stronger,” he added, warning, however, that the country should prepare for a new attack on energy infrastructure in winter. The Ukrainian president's remarks came after three drones were shot down in Moscow.</p>

<h2><strong>Nine killed after Russian missiles strike Pokrovsk twice</strong></h2>

<p>Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government said that Russian missiles struck the eastern city of Pokrovsk twice on Monday night, killing nine people, injuring scores and destroying apartments and a popular hotel. A total of 82 people were injured in the attack.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Everyone is provided with the necessary assistance. There are two children among the wounded," President Zelensky said in his evening address.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And on Tuesday, Russian-installed Donetsk Mayor Alexei Kulemzin accused Ukraine in a social media post of shelling the city of Donetsk, killing three people and injuring 10 others.</p>

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Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Wednesday (August 9) that Russian forces shot down two combat drones headed for the capital. Taking to Telegram, mayor Sobyanin said one drone was downed in the Domodedovo area on the southern outskirts of Moscow, while the second was shot down in the Minsk highway area, west of the capital.

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Wednesday (August 9) that Russian forces shot down two combat drones headed for the capital. Taking to Telegram, mayor Sobyanin said one drone was downed in the Domodedovo area on the southern outskirts of Moscow, while the second was shot down in the Minsk highway area, west of the capital. "Two combat drones' attempt to fly into the city was recorded. Both were shot down by air defence," Sobyanin said without naming an attacker. "At the moment, there is no information about victims of the fall of the wreckage," the mayor also said, adding, emergency services were on the ground. The surging drone attacks in Moscow Wednesday's incident is the latest in a series of surge in drone attacks targetting Moscow. On Monday, the Russian government claimed to have shot down a Ukrainian drone southwest of Moscow. The incident in the Kaluga region, less than 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Moscow, "affected neither people nor infrastructure", regional governor Vladislav Shapsha wrote on Telegram. This comes after the defence ministry said it downed seven drones near Kaluga. And last Sunday, another drone targeting the Russian capital was shot down. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the ongoing war was coming to Russia, with the country's "symbolic centres and military bases" becoming targets. "Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia — to its symbolic centres and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process," Zelensky said on July 30 during a visit to the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk. “Ukraine is getting stronger,” he added, warning, however, that the country should prepare for a new attack on energy infrastructure in winter. The Ukrainian president's remarks came after three drones were shot down in Moscow. Nine killed after Russian missiles strike Pokrovsk twice Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government said that Russian missiles struck the eastern city of Pokrovsk twice on Monday night, killing nine people, injuring scores and destroying apartments and a popular hotel. A total of 82 people were injured in the attack. "Everyone is provided with the necessary assistance. There are two children among the wounded," President Zelensky said in his evening address. And on Tuesday, Russian-installed Donetsk Mayor Alexei Kulemzin accused Ukraine in a social media post of shelling the city of Donetsk, killing three people and injuring 10 others. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia: Moscow mayor says military shot down two drones headed for capital

<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered stepped-up protection at the border after Moscow on Tuesday (February 28) accused Kyiv of launching drones deep into the national territory. While a spate of targeted launches raised questions about Russian defences, officials said no damage or injuries were reported. One of the drones crashed in the Moscow region in what seemed to be an attempt to target civilian infrastructure, the city's governor said. The developments come a week after Ukraine marked one year of war against Russia. &nbsp;</p>

<p>While Putin did not refer to any specific strikes, his order is being viewed as a response to the drone launches, according to news agency AP. The strikes were reported on Monday night and Tuesday. The airspace over St Petersburg was temporarily closed amid concerns over an "unidentified" flying object.&nbsp;</p>

<p>About 100 km from Moscow, near the village of Gubastov, a drone crashed near the gas facility operated by Russian energy giant Gazprom on Tuesday, according to BBC. "There are no casualties or damage on the ground. The FSB [Russian security service] and other competent authorities are investigating," Moscow Governor Andrey Vorobyov posted on Telegram.&nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong>Also watch|&nbsp;Russia- Ukraine : A year of war and misery</strong></p>

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<p>Even as there has been no confirmation from Kyiv on the strikes, Anton Gerashchenko, advisor to Ukraine's internal affairs minister, tweeted a photo showing the drone - presumed to be UJ-22 Airborne, a product of Ukrainian manufacturer Ukrjet - at the crash site.<br />
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-us-of-planning-toxic-chemicals-provocation-in-ukraine-566906">Russia accuses US of planning 'toxic chemicals' provocation in Ukraine</a></strong><br />
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<p>"Russian media report that an unknown drone was shot down near a Gazprom object in Moscow region. It is more than 500 km away from Russian border with Ukraine. Soon Putin might get very afraid to show himself in public as drones can reach far distances (sic)," he tweeted. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Russian officials on Tuesday also alleged hacking attempts after some local TV channels aired a missile attack warning.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered stepped-up protection at the border after Moscow on Tuesday (February 28) accused Kyiv of launching drones deep into the national territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered stepped-up protection at the border after Moscow on Tuesday (February 28) accused Kyiv of launching drones deep into the national territory. While a spate of targeted launches raised questions about Russian defences, officials said no damage or injuries were reported. One of the drones crashed in the Moscow region in what seemed to be an attempt to target civilian infrastructure, the city's governor said. The developments come a week after Ukraine marked one year of war against Russia. While Putin did not refer to any specific strikes, his order is being viewed as a response to the drone launches, according to news agency AP. The strikes were reported on Monday night and Tuesday. The airspace over St Petersburg was temporarily closed amid concerns over an "unidentified" flying object. About 100 km from Moscow, near the village of Gubastov, a drone crashed near the gas facility operated by Russian energy giant Gazprom on Tuesday, according to BBC. "There are no casualties or damage on the ground. The FSB [Russian security service] and other competent authorities are investigating," Moscow Governor Andrey Vorobyov posted on Telegram. Also watch| Russia- Ukraine : A year of war and misery × Even as there has been no confirmation from Kyiv on the strikes, Anton Gerashchenko, advisor to Ukraine's internal affairs minister, tweeted a photo showing the drone - presumed to be UJ-22 Airborne, a product of Ukrainian manufacturer Ukrjet - at the crash site. Also read: Russia accuses US of planning 'toxic chemicals' provocation in Ukraine "Russian media report that an unknown drone was shot down near a Gazprom object in Moscow region. It is more than 500 km away from Russian border with Ukraine. Soon Putin might get very afraid to show himself in public as drones can reach far distances (sic)," he tweeted. Russian officials on Tuesday also alleged hacking attempts after some local TV channels aired a missile attack warning. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Putin steps up border protection as Russia alleges drone attacks by Ukraine