Russian drone attacks have intensified across Ukraine and its borders, with a significant strike on the Starokazache-Tudora border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova on September 9, 2026, resulting in two civilian deaths and three injuries, according to Ukrainian State Border Guard Service reports. The attack damaged checkpoint infrastructure, vehicles, and buildings while sparking a major fire that forced the evacuation of 16 people from the area. Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the strike and warned that Russian military operations pose an escalating threat to Moldova's security.
In a post on social media platform X, Sandu stated that Russia's front line is advancing westward and emphasized the urgent need for air defense support for Ukraine. Following the attack, Moldovan authorities closed the border crossing. The incident represents a pattern of escalating violence affecting the broader region.
A day prior to the border crossing strike, a Russian drone had entered Moldovan airspace, prompting authorities to temporarily halt all flights. This airspace incursion delayed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's departure for Norway. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store stated that Zelenskyy's aircraft had been nearly struck by a drone during departure, though Ukrainian officials characterized this assessment as exaggerated.
Moldovan authorities confirmed they had temporarily closed the country's airspace after detecting the Russian drone, with restrictions subsequently lifted to allow flights to resume. Concurrently, Russian drone attacks on Kyiv on September 9 killed one person and wounded 17 others, with one drone striking a 24-story residential building and triggering a fire. Moscow has maintained a campaign of near-daily attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure using strike drones, missiles, and guided aerial bombs throughout the nearly four-and-a-half-year full-scale conflict.
Ukraine responded with its own military operations, targeting the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk overnight on September 9. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian forces hit a naval base, oil-loading terminal infrastructure, military port facilities, and warships carrying Kalibr missiles. Russian authorities confirmed the attack, reporting four deaths including a child, according to Krasnodar region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev.
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed on September 9 that its forces had downed 596 Ukrainian drones overnight. The escalating military operations follow recent diplomatic engagement, with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visiting Kyiv for talks with President Zelenskyy after earlier meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The Kremlin characterized the Putin-Trump phone conversation as constructive and frank.
Following his visit to Norway where he attended King Harald V's funeral and discussed air-defense support, Zelenskyy traveled to Canada on September 9. His Canadian visit is expected to focus on defense, economic, and energy cooperation, according to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's office. Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan noted on Facebook that the Kremlin's war against Ukraine was increasingly endangering Moldovan citizens as well, underscoring how the conflict continues to affect neighboring regions beyond Ukraine's borders.
Source: OilPrice.com, reporting RFE/RL staff, September 10, 2026
Source: oilprice.com