Russian Drone Strikes Hit Ukraine-Moldova Border, Kyiv and Sumy

Russian drone attacks struck cities and critical logistics routes across Ukraine, killing civilians and damaging a key border crossing with Moldova as Moscow intensified pressure on Ukrainian infrastructure and trade networks.

Two civilians were killed and three wounded when drones hit the Starokozache border checkpoint in Ukraine’s Odesa region, Governor Oleh Kiper said. Located about one kilometer from Moldova, the crossing handles thousands of travelers and hundreds of vehicles daily. Moldovan authorities temporarily suspended passenger and vehicle traffic following the attack.

Ukrainian border guard spokesperson Andriy Demchenko said Russia was likely seeking to disrupt logistics routes. Ukrainian officials said Moscow has attacked five border crossings in recent weeks, including four along Moldova and one bordering NATO member Romania.

The attacks pose an economic threat to Ukraine as Russian strikes on Black Sea ports have increased Kyiv’s dependence on overland export routes.

Elsewhere, a Russian drone strike on a shopping center in Sumy killed two people and injured 20, regional Governor Oleh Hryhorov said. Another person was killed during attacks on Kyiv, where Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported 17 wounded. Jet-powered drones struck the capital overnight and into Wednesday, causing fires and disrupting schools and businesses.

Drones also hit five districts of Kryvyi Rih, injuring two people and starting fires. In Khmelnytskyi, an attack on a market caused a blaze and explosions, leaving four rescue workers injured.

Ukraine, meanwhile, continued long-range strikes inside Russia. Ukrainian special forces said they attacked two gas condensate facilities in Russia’s Yamal-Nenets region, roughly 3,000 kilometers from Ukraine. Regional Governor Dmitry Artyukhov confirmed a fire at a plant in Novy Urengoy.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also said Ukrainian forces targeted a naval base, oil terminal, military port infrastructure and missile-carrying warships in Novorossiysk.

Zelenskiy called for stronger international pressure on Moscow, warning that Russia should not enter winter believing its missile and drone attacks can continue without consequences.