MOSCOW-KYIV, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM – 23rd Aug, 2026) Russia and Ukraine witnessed a fresh escalation over the past several hours, with the Russian Ministry of Defence saying on Sunday that it intercepted and destroyed 328 Ukrainian drones over several Russian regions, Crimea, and the Black and Azov seas overnight.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities said the cities of Kharkiv, Izium and Mykolaiv were subjected to intensive Russian attacks involving guided bombs and drones, injuring civilians and damaging dozens of residential buildings and infrastructure facilities.
Two civilians were also killed and others injured by explosive devices in the border region of Sumy.
On the battlefield, the Ukrainian General Staff reported 197 combat engagements along the front lines over the past 24 hours, saying Russian forces had suffered heavy losses in personnel and military equipment since the start of the conflict.
The developments coincided with Russian authorities reporting that three civilians were injured and property was damaged in Ukrainian drone attacks targeting the Belgorod region.
They came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to respond to Kyiv’s targeting of Russian economic infrastructure by striking what he described as Ukraine‘s “most sensitive economic sectors”, while also reaffirming Moscow‘s openness to peace talks based on “realities on the ground”.
Germany announced on Saturday, through Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul during a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv, an additional €50 million in humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, along with an extra €10 million for NATO‘s Comprehensive Assistance Package to support the country’s winter preparations and €3 million to support Ukrainian veterans.
