MOSCOW, Aug 14 — Tensions escalated sharply on Thursday as Ukrainian drone attacks struck two Russian cities, injuring at least 16 people, just hours before a high-stakes US-Russia summit on the war in Ukraine.
In the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, a drone slammed into an apartment building, injuring 13 residents. Local officials confirmed that two of the wounded are in serious condition, as emergency crews worked through the night to evacuate families and contain the damage. Residents described scenes of panic, with glass shattering and smoke filling the hallways.
In Belgorod, near the Ukrainian border, three civilians were hurt when a drone reportedly struck a car in the city center. Video footage shared by the regional governor showed a sudden explosion, leaving bystanders scrambling for safety.
Further south, in Russia’s Volgograd region, debris from downed Ukrainian drones sparked a blaze at an oil refinery. Firefighters battled the flames as authorities worked to secure the facility.
Ukraine has not issued an official statement on the strikes.
The timing of these attacks is significant — they come just one day before US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska. The summit is being watched closely worldwide, as Trump is expected to push for a resolution to the 3½-year conflict that has reshaped global politics and displaced millions.
As the world braces for Friday’s talks, residents in the affected cities are left counting the cost — not just in property damage, but in fear, uncertainty, and the enduring scars of war.
