Russian drones killed two people at the Starokozache border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attack, which occurred overnight, led to the closure of the crossing and injured three others, including a Moldovan driver, the Moldovan foreign ministry said. The incident highlights the growing involvement of Moldova in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Prime Minister Vasile Tofan noting that 17 drones struck Moldovan territory in August alone, more than during the entire previous year.

Zelensky called for international support to stop the 'aggression' after the attack, emphasizing that 'the aggression must be stopped here and now before it spreads any further.' The Starokozache crossing, located about 500km south of Kyiv, was shut following the strike, which also damaged several burnt-out cars at the scene. In Kyiv, a Russian drone attack on a nine-storey residential building killed a woman and injured 14 people, including two children, according to Ukrainian officials.

Russia reported that a Ukrainian drone attack killed four people, including a child, in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. The attack also injured 29 others and caused damage to residential buildings, a church, and a preschool. In the Arctic city of Novy Urengoy, a drone strike on an industrial facility was repelled, with falling wreckage triggering a fire but no casualties. Russia's defence ministry stated it had shot down 596 Ukrainian drones overnight, though no further details were provided.

Moldova's PM, Vasile Tofan, accused Russia of starting the war and bearing sole responsibility for the conflict. He criticized those who 'ignore or downplay these threats' and 'refuse to name the aggressor,' calling such attitudes a denial of reality. The PM's comments reflect growing concerns in Moldova about its vulnerability to the war, as the country has become a target for both sides.

The attacks occurred a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump about efforts to end the war. The Trump administration has been pushing for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, with Kyiv suggesting they could take place this month. However, the Kremlin has stated it is too early to discuss a date or venue for such discussions. The call followed talks between US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff and Putin in Moscow, before the pair traveled to Kyiv for meetings with Zelensky.

The situation remains unclear on the exact number of casualties, the extent of damage, and the long-term implications for Moldova's involvement in the war. Further information is needed to fully assess the impact of these strikes on the region and the ongoing conflict.