Russia and Ukraine Trade Strikes on Economic Targets, Killing at Least 6

Local officials reported that the latest Russian attacks on Ukraine killed at least six people, as Moscow and Kyiv intensify their strikes on each other's economic and energy infrastructure.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region of eastern Ukraine, a series of Russian attacks on Friday (Aug 8) killed two people and wounded six, with strikes reported across five districts, according to Governor Oleksandr Hanzha on Telegram. He said five others died in the same region on Thursday from a separate wave of attacks.

Governor Hanzha added that Russian forces shelled Dnipropetrovsk at least 50 times on Friday using drones, artillery, and aerial bombs.

In Kherson, southern Ukraine, a Molniya drone struck a car on the road, killing a 77-year-old woman, according to the local military administration on Telegram. Eight bus passengers were among dozens injured in other attacks.

In Kharkiv, two people were killed by cluster bombs, the city's military administration said. Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported 21 settlements under fire from various weapons, including missiles and drones, leaving at least 18 wounded.

Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin reported one death on Friday morning, noting Russia had shelled the region at least 44 times since Thursday.

In Russian-occupied Crimea, a Ukrainian drone strike killed two people when it hit an apartment building, according to Moscow-appointed governor Sergei Aksyonov.

Also on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Serbia for his first official visit. On social media platform X, he said he expected to discuss “expanding economic ties between our countries, relations with the European Union, and other issues that benefit people.”

The visit is expected to irk Russia, a longtime ally and natural gas supplier to Serbia.

Strikes on Russia's “commercial heart”

Ukrainian forces continued targeting Wildberries, dubbed “Russia's Amazon.” Multiple drones were seen hovering over Wildberries' logistics facility in Yekaterinburg on Friday morning before large fires broke out. The company confirmed the attack on Telegram, saying the facility had been evacuated beforehand and the flames were contained.

The strike, about 2,000 km from the front line, highlighted the target's “strategic and economic significance,” as well as being a “blow to Russia's consumer economy.”

This is the latest attack on Wildberries since mid-July, when Kyiv began striking at least 20 company sites, killing at least 13 people, causing fires, and destroying goods. Ukraine claims Wildberries supports the war effort, a charge Moscow and the company deny.

In an effort to degrade Russia's energy infrastructure, Ukraine said its 40-day campaign has hit 14 oil refineries, several oil depots and loading terminals, 14 aircraft, and 4 airfields.

For its part, Russia attacked seven oil and gas production facilities in eastern Ukraine overnight Friday, according to state oil and gas company Naftogaz, which said it destroyed “critical” equipment.

“Russia is systematically targeting Ukraine's oil and gas production to inflict maximum damage on our infrastructure before winter,” acting CEO Sergiy Fedorenko said.

Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces struck two more cargo ships in the Black Sea that it claimed were being used “in the interests of the Ukrainian military.” Russia also attacked fuel storage facilities at the Pivdennyi port, according to the ministry.