Russia-Ukraine war: Massive drone strikes and rising confirmed military casualties

An investigation by Mediazona and the BBC has identified nearly 240,000 confirmed Russian military deaths since the start of the invasion of Ukraine. As of August 13, researchers verified 239,354 names, including 87,749 volunteers, 26,416 prisoners, 19,778 mobilized soldiers, and 7,530 officers. Investigators noted that the actual death toll is likely significantly higher, as the list is based only on names that could be confirmed through obituaries, social media, and local reports.

In a separate escalation, Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks of the year, targeting Russian territory. Approximately 822 drones were used, with 600 directed toward Moscow. The strikes hit a Wildberries warehouse near Kolodino, causing fires and injuries. Officials in Belgorod and the Moscow region reported fatalities, including an 83-year-old man and a woman hit by a drone near a civilian bus. Kyiv stated the operation aimed to disable logistics centers used for military procurement.

Meanwhile, Russian strikes hit several Ukrainian regions, including Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, Donetsk, and Kherson. In Kyiv, air raid sirens sounded multiple times during Russian attacks, resulting in several injuries, including a child.