Deadly Russian strikes hit Kyiv as cross-border drone exchanges intensify

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Posted Aug 15, 2026, 07:00 PM UTC · In the digest of 2026-08-15-1900
Deadly Russian strikes hit Kyiv as cross-border drone exchanges intensify
Photo: La Stampa

Deadly Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least 17 people as reciprocal drone and glide bomb attacks escalated across Ukrainian and Russian territories.

Russian aerial bombardments targeting Kyiv and the surrounding region have killed at least 17 people and injured dozens more, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to issue renewed calls for Western air defense interceptors. Additional Russian glide bomb and drone strikes struck residential areas in Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro.

Simultaneously, Ukrainian cross-border drone operations caused casualties in several Russian regions, including Belgorod, Crimea, the outskirts of Moscow, and a coastal site near Gelendzhik. Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces have concentrated three air defense rings around Moscow and Saint Petersburg by redeploying systems from other operational zones.

On the diplomatic front, Zelensky stated that Ukrainian troops would not unilaterally retreat from Donbas, emphasizing reliance on post-war security pacts, while former US president Donald Trump voiced caution regarding sharing proprietary technology for prospective Ukrainian Patriot missile manufacturing.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica, La Stampa.

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