Nexus Europa — Aug 18, 2026, 11:00 AM UTC

Russian strikes across Ukraine leave at least eight dead and dozens injured

Russian drone and artillery barrages across multiple Ukrainian regions have killed at least eight people and injured more than 60, regional emergency services reported.

A wave of Russian drone and artillery strikes targeting multiple Ukrainian regions has killed at least eight people and injured more than 60, according to local authorities and emergency personnel.

Russian forces deployed approximately 180 drones alongside artillery bombardments across the Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia regions. Dnipropetrovsk experienced severe damage, with officials recording nearly 60 attacks across five districts within 24 hours. The strikes resulted in five deaths and 16 injuries in the province, primarily impacting the Kamianske, Pavlohrad, and Nikopol areas. Near Kryvyi Rih, a drone strike on a petrol station claimed three lives, including that of an eight-year-old child.

Emergency crews responded across affected regions to extinguish fires and clear debris from damaged civilian infrastructure.

Sources: Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă

Deadly cross-border strikes escalate as Ukraine seeks air defense reinforcements

Intensified cross-border strikes between Russia and Ukraine have caused widespread casualties, prompting renewed appeals by Kyiv for Western air defense interceptors.

Deadly cross-border aerial attacks between Russia and Ukraine have intensified, causing casualties on both sides. Heavy Russian strikes targeting Kyiv and surrounding districts killed at least 17 people and wounded dozens, while glide bombs struck residential areas in Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated urgent appeals for Western interceptor missiles to defend civilian infrastructure.

Simultaneously, Ukrainian drone and missile strikes hit multiple Russian-controlled areas, including Belgorod, Crimea, the Black Sea coast near Gelendzhik, and the outskirts of Moscow, causing casualties. Zelensky stated that Russian military commanders have concentrated three concentric air defense rings around Moscow and Saint Petersburg to counter incoming drones.

Diplomatic and military aid discussions also continued, with Zelensky emphasizing expectations of long-term United States security guarantees, while former US President Donald Trump expressed caution regarding proposals to manufacture Patriot missile defense systems directly within Ukraine.

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