Russia intensifies airstrikes on Ukraine; Kiev strikes back

Kiev [Ukraine], August 22: Russia deployed a number of combat drones and fired multiple missiles in the direction of Ukrainian cities despite ongoing peace efforts, The Kyiv Independent reported early on Thursday.
According to Ukrainian figures, the air force detected 614 enemy aircraft, including hundreds of drones, as well as hypersonic, ballistic and cruise missiles.
The RBC Ukraine news agency reported that explosions were heard in Kiev and in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. RBC Ukraine cited the military governor of Lviv, Maksym Kozytskyi, as saying that air defences were activated in the region.
An air alert had previously been issued in Kiev on Wednesday evening and the drone attacks continued there overnight, with sirens reportedly lasting nearly 8 hours. Air defences were also active in the city.
People were told to stay in shelters, the news agency wrote, citing Kiev's military administration. There was initially no precise information on casualties or damage.
Missiles struck in western Ukraine, including Mukachevo near the Hungarian border, where 15 people were injured.
Media reports indicate a factory for electronic components was hit, sparking a large fire. In Lviv, one person was killed and three others injured, according to Mayor Andrii Sadovyi.
Meanwhile, Ukraine conducted overnight attacks on Russian territory using combat drones. The Russian Defence Ministry reported 49 drones intercepted.
Russian Telegram channels cited strikes on the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Rostov, causing a fire, temporary closure of a railway line in Voronezh, and short-term airport suspensions in Volgograd and Kaluga due to drone alerts.
Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for almost three and a half years. The latest attacks come amid a recent push by US President Donald Trump for a solution to the war in Ukraine.
To that end, he has hosted a series of meetings in recent days - first in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, then in Washington with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders on Monday.
Trump is next trying to arrange a Putin-Zelensky meeting. A possible three-way summit with Trump, Putin and Zelensky is also on the cards.
Source: Qatar Tribune