Russian forces press Donetsk offensive as drone strikes target Moscow

Nexus Europa Newsroom
Posted Aug 20, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC · In the digest of 2026-08-20-1200
Russian forces press Donetsk offensive as drone strikes target Moscow
Photo: Investor.bg

Russia claimed new advances in Donetsk as strikes devastated Druzhkivka, while Moscow reported intercepting over 200 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Russia's Defence Ministry announced the capture of two settlements, Matyashevo and Nikolaypolye, in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast, though Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the claims and independent verification is unavailable.

Meanwhile, heavy Russian shelling and air strikes have devastated the frontline town of Druzhkivka, a key node in the fortified Kramatorsk defensive belt. Local authorities report that the town's population has plummeted from nearly 56,000 before the invasion to fewer than 4,000 residents amid ongoing artillery barrages.

The ground fighting coincided with large-scale aerial attacks overnight. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin stated that Russian air defences intercepted more than 200 Ukrainian drones heading toward the capital, reporting three injuries from the incoming barrage.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

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