Ukrainian drone strike kills 2 children in southern Russia

On Saturday, a Ukrainian drone attack targeted a house in the southern Russian Yeysk district, resulting in the tragic deaths of two children and injuries to their parents, according to regional officials. This followed a Russian drone assault on a Ukrainian shopping center that left at least nine people missing and sixteen confirmed dead, with over 100 wounded.

Earlier on Saturday, Ukrainian forces also struck a warehouse of the major e-commerce retailer Ozon. Governor Veniamin Kondratyev of Russia's Krasnodar region described the Ukrainian attack as a "vile and cynical strike," noting that two children were killed and two adults were hospitalized. A separate Ukrainian drone attack in Samara's central region claimed one life.

Meanwhile, Russian strikes overnight took two lives - one in Kyiv and another near the front line in Zaporizhzhia. In Ukraine's capital, Kryvyi Rih, the popular shopping center where nine people remain missing saw a second drone strike, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned as "cynical and despicable." As the conflict continues to escalate, the UN reported that civilian casualties in 2023 have reached their highest level since the early stages of the war.

Ukrainian leaders are urging allies for further assistance amid Russia's intensified attacks, as Ukrainian forces grapple with intercepting ballistic missile salvos. Alliances are set to discuss support for Ukraine via video talks on Monday, Ukraine's Independence Day.