The Russia-Ukraine war continues to intensify, with both sides exchanging strikes and reporting casualties and damage.

Russian strikes in the Kyiv region have reportedly killed at least three people, including a child, while others were wounded. Fires also broke out in multiple districts following the attacks, according to Ukrainian emergency authorities.

Moscow has also claimed that Russian forces struck three vessels near Black Sea ports, alleging that the ships were carrying military-related cargo for Ukraine. Videos released by Russia reportedly show vessels being hit at sea.

Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to use long-range drones against targets inside Russian territory. Experts say these attacks have allowed Kyiv to put pressure on Russian critical infrastructure and targets in Crimea.

Russia-Ukraine War Escalates | Russian Strikes Kill Three Including Child | Kyiv Hit by Fresh Attacks

Russia and Ukraine continue to be involved in ceaseless drone attacks. Kremlin on Wednesday (August 23) said it had thwarted a Ukrainian drone attack in the capital city of Moscow but three people were killed in another strike in Russia near the Ukrainian&nbsp;border.&nbsp;

Belgorod&nbsp;Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov took to social media to inform about the drone strike.&nbsp;

"Three civilians have been killed.&nbsp;The Ukrainian forces launched an explosive device through a drone when people were on the street," said&nbsp;Gladkov, who added the drone hit a&nbsp;sanatorium in a village.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the defence ministry claimed that its air defence forces had gunned down two drones hovering over Mozhaisky and Khimki districts in Moscow. A third appeared to be jammed and out of control as it smashed into a&nbsp;&nbsp;high-rise building under construction in a Moscow business district. The same district was hit on two occasions in three days, at the beginning of the month.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-thwarts-ukrainian-drone-attacks-near-moscow-two-airports-affected-627472">Also read |&nbsp;Russia thwarts Ukrainian drone attacks near Moscow, two airports affected</a>

Kyiv rarely takes responsibility for the drone attacks and it had not commented on the Russian claims till the last update. While both sides have engaged in a numerous drone attacks since the war first broke out in February last year, the intensity has increased in recent months.

Experts say that the cancellation of the Black Sea grain deal by Moscow may have added more bitterness to both sides. Since the cancellation, Moscow has been hitting Ukrainian port cities while Kyiv targets Moscow and border areas using drones.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-budget-drones-in-ukraine-are-redefining-warfare-616102">Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: Budget drones in Ukraine are redefining warfare&nbsp;</a>

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<h2>Previous instances of drone attacks&nbsp;</h2>

This is not the first instance when Russia has accused Ukraine of targetting the capital city using drones. In May, Kremlin claimed it was&nbsp;attacked by Ukrainian drones&nbsp;which it deemed&nbsp;was an attempt on Russian President Vladimir Putin's life.&nbsp;

At the time, Kremlin described the incident as a "planned terrorist attack" and an "assassination attempt on the president of Russia".&nbsp;

"Tonight, the Kyiv regime attempted a drone strike on the Kremlin residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Two drones were aimed at the Kremlin," the press service had said in a statement.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Russia and Ukraine continue to be involved in ceaseless drone attacks. Kremlin on Wednesday (August 23) said it had thwarted a Ukrainian drone attack in the capital city of Moscow but three people were killed in another strike in Russia near the Ukrainian border.

Russia and Ukraine continue to be involved in ceaseless drone attacks. Kremlin on Wednesday (August 23) said it had thwarted a Ukrainian drone attack in the capital city of Moscow but three people were killed in another strike in Russia near the Ukrainian border. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov took to social media to inform about the drone strike. "Three civilians have been killed. The Ukrainian forces launched an explosive device through a drone when people were on the street," said Gladkov, who added the drone hit a sanatorium in a village. Meanwhile, the defence ministry claimed that its air defence forces had gunned down two drones hovering over Mozhaisky and Khimki districts in Moscow. A third appeared to be jammed and out of control as it smashed into a high-rise building under construction in a Moscow business district. The same district was hit on two occasions in three days, at the beginning of the month. Also read | Russia thwarts Ukrainian drone attacks near Moscow, two airports affected Kyiv rarely takes responsibility for the drone attacks and it had not commented on the Russian claims till the last update. While both sides have engaged in a numerous drone attacks since the war first broke out in February last year, the intensity has increased in recent months. Experts say that the cancellation of the Black Sea grain deal by Moscow may have added more bitterness to both sides. Since the cancellation, Moscow has been hitting Ukrainian port cities while Kyiv targets Moscow and border areas using drones. Watch | Russia-Ukraine War: Budget drones in Ukraine are redefining warfare Previous instances of drone attacks This is not the first instance when Russia has accused Ukraine of targetting the capital city using drones. In May, Kremlin claimed it was attacked by Ukrainian drones which it deemed was an attempt on Russian President Vladimir Putin's life. At the time, Kremlin described the incident as a "planned terrorist attack" and an "assassination attempt on the president of Russia". "Tonight, the Kyiv regime attempted a drone strike on the Kremlin residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Two drones were aimed at the Kremlin," the press service had said in a statement. Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Three killed in Ukrainian drone attacks on border areas, claims Russia

The Ukrainian military has said that a four-rotor commercial drone that sells over the counter for $300 can be modified to carry explosives that will destroy Russian tanks.

The Ukrainian military has said that a four-rotor commercial drone that sells over the counter for $300 can be modified to carry explosives that will destroy Russian tanks. Speaking to the news agency Reuters on Tuesday (May 16), a Ukrainian soldier, who uses the call sign Kakrurt, said, "Our team has done it many times. We have destroyed enemy tanks, heavy military equipment, personnel. It's a very effective gadget." Kakurt, who was earlier working as an IT programmer, fights for Ukraine's 35th Marine Brigade, which modifies commercially-available drones and uses them to attack Russian forces. Reuters reported that the brigade shared visuals of these drones flying into what they said were Russian trenches before detonating. ALSO READ | Putin eases citizenship process for foreigners fighting for Russia in Ukraine The brigade showed off small commercial drones with four rotors that buzzed around as they were flown by soldiers using handsets. Ukraine invested hugely in drone technology Kakrurt also told Reuters on Tuesday that Ukraine has invested hugely in drone technology, adding, "It's better to make effective use of technical resources instead of people. That's why the Ukrainian Armed Forces are developing very, very quickly in this direction." Earlier, the Ukrainian government said it was expanding its drone programme for both reconnaissance and attacking enemy targets to narrow the gap between its military capabilities and those of Russia. ALSO READ | Putin eases citizenship process for foreigners fighting for Russia in Ukraine Another soldier, with the call sign Reshik, predicted that Kyiv would make broad use of drones that fly to their target before detonating when it starts its counter-offensive in the coming weeks. "Kamikaze drones will play a huge role in the counteroffensive in attacking trenches where the enemy seeks shelter and in killing the enemy," Reshik said. "Our Mavic (type of drone) is in the air, we see a tank driving, we fit the armour-piercing explosive to this part and let it fly. When we see infantry we fit the drone with shrapnel explosives and we fly it. If it is a building, we also fit it with shrapnel explosive and we fly inside the building," he added. Shot down six Russian hypersonic missiles: Ukraine Ukraine claimed on Tuesday that it shot down six Russian Kinzhal missiles in a single night. In a statement, the defence ministry said, "A high-precision strike by the hypersonic Kinzhal missile hit a US-made Patriot anti-aircraft missile system in the city of Kyiv." The Kinzhal missiles have been touted by Russia as a next-generation hypersonic missile. When asked about Ukraine's claim, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu dismissed it. But his ministry said that a Kinzhal missile destroyed U.S.-built Patriot surface-to-air missile defence system. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Ukraine war: Kyiv modifies commercial drones to attack Russian forces

Biden administration officials said Thursday that the US has evidence about Iran sending troops to Crimea in Ukraine to assist Russia with drone attacks. The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, was struck by kamikaze drones on Monday, deployed by Russia but reportedly Iran-made.

"Iran sent trainers and technical support to enable Russian forces to use Iranian-made drones with better lethality,” John Kirby, White House National Security Council spokesperson, told reporters in a teleconference.

“We assess that Iranian military personnel were on the ground in Crimea and assisted Russia in these operations."

"Tehran is now directly engaged on the ground, and through the provision of weapons that are impacting civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine," Kirby said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-agrees-to-ship-missiles-more-drones-to-russia-report-526563">Iran agrees to ship missiles, more drones to Russia: Report</a>

Russian military was facing trouble operating these drones, which is why Iranian troops were sent to help them.

“The systems themselves were suffering failures and not performing to the standards that apparently the customers expected,” Kirby said. As a result, the Iranians decided to send in troops to assist the Russians, he said.

When asked about the number of Iranians in Crimea, Kirby said, “I don’t have a number … What we do know is there’s a relatively small number that are.”

Earlier, reports had said that Russian troops had initially gone to Iran to receive training on them.&nbsp;

Kirby and State Department spokesperson Ned Price informed that a number of such drones have been deployed by Moscow in Ukraine. “Russia has received dozens of these UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) so far. And will likely continue to receive additional shipments in the future,” Price told reporters.

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The attacks have damaged a third of the country's power stations, leaving people in the dark and restrictions on the usage of power.&nbsp;

Kirby also raised the administration's concerns regarding Iran sending surface-to-surface missiles to Russia in view of the dwindling supply of ammunition.&nbsp;

“Furthermore, in light of Russia’s ongoing supply sort of shortages, we are concerned that Russia may also seek to acquire advanced conventional weapons from Iran such as surface-to-surface missiles that will almost certainly be used to support the war against Ukraine,” Kirby said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Biden administration officials said Thursday that the US has evidence about Iran sending troops to Crimea in Ukraine to assist Russia with drone attacks. The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, was struck by kamikaze drones on Monday, deployed by Russia but reportedly Iran-made.

Biden administration officials said Thursday that the US has evidence about Iran sending troops to Crimea in Ukraine to assist Russia with drone attacks. The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, was struck by kamikaze drones on Monday, deployed by Russia but reportedly Iran-made. "Iran sent trainers and technical support to enable Russian forces to use Iranian-made drones with better lethality,” John Kirby, White House National Security Council spokesperson, told reporters in a teleconference. “We assess that Iranian military personnel were on the ground in Crimea and assisted Russia in these operations." "Tehran is now directly engaged on the ground, and through the provision of weapons that are impacting civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine," Kirby said. Also Read | Iran agrees to ship missiles, more drones to Russia: Report Russian military was facing trouble operating these drones, which is why Iranian troops were sent to help them. “The systems themselves were suffering failures and not performing to the standards that apparently the customers expected,” Kirby said. As a result, the Iranians decided to send in troops to assist the Russians, he said. When asked about the number of Iranians in Crimea, Kirby said, “I don’t have a number … What we do know is there’s a relatively small number that are.” Earlier, reports had said that Russian troops had initially gone to Iran to receive training on them. Kirby and State Department spokesperson Ned Price informed that a number of such drones have been deployed by Moscow in Ukraine. “Russia has received dozens of these UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) so far. And will likely continue to receive additional shipments in the future,” Price told reporters. × The attacks have damaged a third of the country's power stations, leaving people in the dark and restrictions on the usage of power. Kirby also raised the administration's concerns regarding Iran sending surface-to-surface missiles to Russia in view of the dwindling supply of ammunition. “Furthermore, in light of Russia’s ongoing supply sort of shortages, we are concerned that Russia may also seek to acquire advanced conventional weapons from Iran such as surface-to-surface missiles that will almost certainly be used to support the war against Ukraine,” Kirby said. (With inputs from agencies)

US confirms Iranian troops assisting Russia in use of kamikaze drones