Russia and Ukraine exchange strikes as two killed at Moldova border

Two individuals have been killed after Russian drones struck a border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated.

Key points

• The Starokozache crossing, around 500km (310 miles) south of Kyiv, was closed after the overnight attack.
• The strikes came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to US President Donald Trump by phone regarding efforts to end the conflict.
• The border link between Ukraine and Moldova was shut after the attack killed two individuals and injured three others, Odesa regional governor Oleg Kiper stated.
• Russia's defence ministry remarked its forces had shot down 596 Ukrainian drones overnight.
• The Trump administration has been pressing for direct discussions between Russia and Ukraine, with Kyiv saying they could take place this month.

In practice, the Starokozache crossing, around 500km (310 miles) south of Kyiv, was closed after the overnight attack. Images from the scene indicated a number of cars left completely scorched, with wreckage and debris strewn throughout the border post.

Meanwhile, four individuals, including a child, were killed in the southern Russian city of Novorossiysk in a Ukrainian drone attack, the regional governor stated.

Both Russia and Ukraine have stepped up long-range strikes in recent months, despite renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Zelensky renewed calls for international backing after the Starokozache crossing attack, saying "the aggression must be stopped here and now before it spreads any further".

In practice, the border link between Ukraine and Moldova was shut after the attack killed two individuals and injured three others, Odesa regional governor Oleg Kiper stated.

Notably, a Moldovan driver was additionally injured, according to the country's foreign ministry.

Moldova has increasingly discovered itself caught up in the conflict, with Prime Minister Vasile Tofan confirming that 17 drones had struck Moldovan territory in August alone – more than during the whole of last year.

"Those who ignore or downplay these threats – and refuse to name the aggressor – are denying reality, " he wrote on social media. "Russia began this war. Russia alone bears responsibility."

Novorossiysk – in the south of the country on the Black Sea coast – was hit hardest in what governor Veniamin Kondratiev described as a "massive overnight enemy drone attack".

As well as the four deaths, 29 individuals were injured, and damage was noted to residential buildings, a church and a preschool.

Notably, the strikes came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to US President Donald Trump by phone regarding efforts to end the conflict.

Notably, the Trump administration has been pressing for direct discussions between Russia and Ukraine, with Kyiv saying they could take place this month. The Kremlin, nevertheless, has stated it is too early to discuss a date or venue.

Notably, the call followed discussions between US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff and Putin in Moscow, before the pair travelled to Kyiv for meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Taken together, the developments around russia and Ukraine exchange strikes as two killed at Moldova border point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.