Two individuals lost their lives when Russian drones struck the Starokozache border crossing, which connects Ukraine and Moldova, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The overnight attack has resulted in the closure of the checkpoint, with images from the scene revealing burned-out vehicles and scattered debris.
The incident has intensified diplomatic appeals from Kyiv. President Zelensky used the tragedy to renew demands for stronger international backing, stating that aggression must be halted immediately to prevent further escalation.
Oleh Kiper, the head of the Odesa region, confirmed that the crossing, located approximately 500km south of Kyiv, was shut down after the blast killed two people and injured three others. Additionally, a Moldovan driver sustained injuries, as reported by Chisinau’s foreign ministry.
The strike highlights Moldova’s increasing entanglement in the conflict. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan noted that 17 drones hit Moldovan territory in August alone, exceeding the total number from the previous year. “Those who ignore or downplay these threats – and refuse to name the aggressor – are denying reality,” Tofan wrote on social media, asserting that Russia bears sole responsibility for the war.
Meanwhile, violence continued on both sides of the frontline. In Kyiv, a Russian drone hit a nine-story residential building, killing one woman and injuring 14 people, including two children. On the Russian side, the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk suffered significant damage from what Governor Veniamin Kondratiev described as a massive drone assault. Four people, including a child, were killed and 29 injured, with damage reported to homes, a church, and a preschool.
Further north, an industrial facility in the Arctic city of Novy Urengoy was targeted, though officials stated no injuries occurred despite a fire caused by falling debris. Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have intercepted 596 Ukrainian drones overnight.
These attacks follow a phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump regarding peace efforts. US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff recently held talks with Putin in Moscow before traveling to Kyiv to meet with Zelensky. While the Trump administration is pushing for direct negotiations this month, the Kremlin maintains it is premature to set a date or venue.
The border crossing closure will devastate local logistics. Two dead is just the start of this tragedy.
Is Trump’s peace push actually reaching anyone? The drones are still flying despite the phone calls.
Terrifying how close to home this is hitting. Moldova can’t keep being collateral damage in this war.