Child among three killed in Russian missile attacks near Kyiv

As of Tuesday, August 10, 2026, intense cross-border warfare continues to escalate, with Ukrainian forces striking Russian oil refineries, tankers, and warehouses, while Russia intensifies its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. According to unverified videos, two Russian oil refineries were hit on Friday night, with one site ablaze. In addition, a special Ukrainian drone squad claims to have struck 12 Russian shadow fleet ships in the Black Sea over the past week, as part of Operation Molochka, aimed at choking Moscow’s access to the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The Magyar’s Birds Brigade, one of the drone squads, reported hitting 218 shadow vessels since the start of the operation in July. For years, the Sea of Azov was inaccessible to Ukrainian drones, allowing Russia to use Crimea as a base for attacks on Ukraine and to export fuel supporting its war effort. However, advancements in Ukrainian drone technology have changed the dynamics, enabling Kyiv to target Russian assets in the region. Eyewitness footage shows the Syzran oil refinery in the Samara region engulfed in flames, with the governor stating that one of the industrial enterprises was targeted and that casualty numbers are still being determined. Additionally, videos circulated online appear to depict the Ilsky oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai, with the Ukrainian armed forces' Telegram account noting that the facility supplies fuel to the Russian armed forces. These strikes have significantly impacted Russia’s economy, contributing to fuel shortages across the country. This aligns with Ukraine’s broader strategy of crippling Russia’s energy supply to disrupt its military operations and reduce the financial resources available to the Kremlin. Meanwhile, concerns are growing that Russia might attempt to provoke NATO by launching an attack on a NATO member state. U.S. intelligence warns that Russia could be planning such an action to test NATO’s commitment to Article 5, which stipulates that an attack on one member is an attack on all. Possible scenarios include increased attacks in the Balkans or Poland, or cyberattacks. Ukrainian MP Mykola Davydiuk suggested that Putin might target border regions of Sweden and Estonia as a provocation. In response to these developments, Russia launched a massive overnight barrage on Ukraine, resulting in at least nine deaths. Missile and drone strikes hit Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk, according to regional authorities. In Kyiv, a warehouse caught fire after a ballistic missile attack, injuring one person. The heaviest casualties were in Zaporizhzhia, where six people died and 19 were injured in a large-scale attack involving missiles and guided bombs. In Dnipropetrovsk, Russian drone and artillery strikes across five districts killed three people and wounded five. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it targeted military-industrial and transport facilities in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia. These attacks follow reports that Ukraine has received new ballistic missiles from North Korea, intensifying the exchange of long-range strikes between both sides. Ukrainian forces have also conducted strikes deep within Russian territory, targeting critical infrastructure. On August 10, drones attacked an oil refinery in Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan, a major facility processing over 16 million tons of crude annually. Explosions were reported in Simferopol on occupied Crimea, temporarily cutting electricity to parts of the city. Attacks were also recorded in occupied areas of Donetsk Oblast, where Ukrainian forces targeted energy infrastructure, causing a fire in a shopping mall in Makievka. Russian attacks on Ukraine continued with missile strikes on Odesa, damaging residential buildings and injuring at least 14 people. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the strikes targeted the Odesa Thermal Power Plant and seven electrical substations, causing power outages and water supply disruptions. The largest private energy company in Ukraine, DTEK, reported that the attacks led to power cuts and disrupted water supply, expecting restoration soon. The situation in Odessa is particularly dire, as Russia’s blockade of the port complex threatens to severely impact Ukraine’s agricultural exports, which are crucial to its economy. With the port effectively closed since mid-July, officials warn that exports could drop by 50% in the coming months due to limited alternative transportation routes. This has raised concerns about the long-term economic consequences for Ukraine and the potential reshaping of European security dynamics. In Moldavia, a powerful explosion attributed to a combat drone was reported near the village of Crocmaz, prompting analysis of the fragments by specialists. Meanwhile, in Kyiv, a child was among three killed in Russian missile attacks, highlighting the human toll of the ongoing conflict. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgent need for Western support in acquiring advanced air defense systems, citing the lack of interceptors as a critical vulnerability. As tensions rise and military actions intensify, the international community watches closely, aware that the situation could rapidly evolve into a broader conflict with far-reaching implications.