Kathmandu, Aug 3: Tensions escalated further in the Russia-Ukraine conflict over the weekend as missile strikes and drone attacks rocked both Ukrainian and Russian cities near the Black Sea.

In Mykolaiv, a key southern Ukrainian city, officials reported that Russian missile strikes destroyed multiple homes and critical infrastructure. At least three civilians were injured in the assault, which is part of a pattern of repeated shelling on the region by Russian forces.

Ukraine’s emergency services released photos showing firefighters battling blazes and working through the rubble in residential areas affected by the strikes.

Meanwhile, across the border in Sochi, Russia, a massive fire broke out at an oil depot early Sunday following what Russian authorities claimed was a Ukrainian drone strike. The Krasnodar region governor, Veniamin Kondratyev, stated via Telegram that drone debris hit a fuel tank, sparking the blaze.

More than 127 firefighters were deployed to control the flames. As a result of the attack, flights from Sochi Airport were suspended, causing significant disruptions.

The Sochi incident is one of several reported attacks on southern Russian cities over the weekend, indicating a sharp rise in cross-border military activity.

The dual strikes underscore the increasing intensity and scope of the conflict, with both nations targeting strategic locations near the Black Sea. International observers have raised concerns over the growing risks to civilian lives and regional stability.