Russian strikes kill at least six in Ukraine's Kharkiv and Sumy regions

At least six people were killed and dozens wounded in Russian strikes on Ukraine's eastern and northern regions, Ukrainian authorities said on Thursday. In the city of Balakliia, Kharkiv region, three people died after residential buildings were hit overnight. Three more were killed and 19 others injured in attacks on villages in the northern Sumy region. Twelve additional people were wounded in the city of Sumy itself, where guided aerial bombs were used, according to Ukraine's police.

Further south, in the Kherson region, a drone strike on a van left six people injured, the regional administration reported. Both sides in the war, which began with Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion, deny deliberately targeting civilians.

Russia's defence ministry also said its forces struck two dry cargo ships near the Black Sea port of Odesa late on Wednesday, claiming they were carrying military goods. The statement was reported by the TASS news agency.

In a separate development, Moscow said its air defences had destroyed 605 Ukrainian drones overnight over Russian territory and Crimea. The Tver region, about 180 kilometres northwest of the capital, saw one drone's debris damage the facade of a logistics hub belonging to Wildberries, a major e-commerce company. Regional governor Vitaly Korolyov said no one was injured. In the Yaroslavl region, north of Moscow, governor Mikhail Yevrayev described the attack as the most massive so far, with 92 drones shot down. Falling debris caused fires in residential buildings and damaged cars.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Wildberries facilities across Russia since mid-July. With diplomacy stalled, both countries have stepped up long-range attacks, causing growing civilian casualties.