Russian Drone Strike Kills Two at Ukraine-Moldova Border Crossing

Two civilians were killed after Russian drones struck the Starokozache border crossing, which lies approximately 500 km (310 miles) south of Kyiv. The crossing was closed following the overnight attack.

Images from the scene show several cars completely scorched, with wreckage and debris strewn across the border post. Oleg Kiper, governor of the Odesa region, confirmed the closure and that the crossing had killed two people and injured three others. A Moldovan driver was also injured, according to the country’s foreign ministry.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the aggression must be stopped immediately and called for international support. He added that “the aggression must be stopped here and now before it spreads any further.”

Moldova has been increasingly drawn into the conflict. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan had confirmed that 17 drones had struck Moldovan territory in August alone—a figure that exceeds last year’s total. He said: “Those who ignore or downplay these threats – and refuse to name the aggressor – are denying reality. Russia started this war. Russia alone bears responsibility.”

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, four people, including a child, were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on Novorossiysk, a southern Russian city on the Black Sea coast. Governor Veniamin Kondratiev described the assault as a “massive overnight enemy drone attack,” noting that 29 people were injured and damage was reported to residential buildings, a church and a preschool.

Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had shot down 596 Ukrainian drones overnight. The strikes came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to US President Donald Trump about efforts to end the conflict. The Trump administration has urged direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, with Kyiv saying such talks could take place this month, though the Kremlin has said it is too early to discuss a date or venue.