Since Russia’s full-scale invasion was launched in February 2022, Kyiv has stepped up its pursuit of Nato and EU membership, steps that it regards as vital for its self-defence and independence from Russia but are opposed by Moscow.

The southwestern region of Volgograd came under particularly heavy fire, with 67 Ukrainian drones reportedly downed by Russian air defenses.

Odesa region: In the early hours of Sept. 27, Russia attacked the southern port city of Izmail on the Danube River, killing two women and one man, and injuring at least 16 others. Izmail, an important transit point for Ukrainian grain exports enroute to the Black Sea, is located across the Danube from Romania, a NATO member.