Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine on Saturday resulted in the deaths of seven people as the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv showed signs of intensifying more than four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Ukrainian officials reported that four civilians were killed in multiple attacks inside Ukraine, including strikes on residential areas in Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions. Two women in Zaporizhzhia died after being trapped under the rubble of a destroyed house, according to the regional military administration. Separate shelling in Sumy also claimed two lives, local authorities said.

The uptick in Russian attacks comes amid a stalemate along front lines, with Moscow increasingly relying on long-range cruise and ballistic missiles, jet-powered drones, and powerful glide bombs to inflict damage from the air. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the growing severity of the strikes on social media, calling for stronger international measures to prevent the conflict from escalating further. He noted the steady escalation in Russian aggression and underscored the need for the international community to respond accordingly.

Earlier in the week, Zelenskyy addressed the United Nations, urging countries to intensify sanctions and trade restrictions against Russia. He argued that curtailing Moscow’s revenue sources was critical to hindering its capacity to sustain the war effort. Despite diplomatic efforts, a resolution to the conflict remains elusive.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continued their own offensive operations across the border, targeting Russian infrastructure. A Ukrainian drone attack struck sites in the southern Krasnodar region, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries, according to local officials. The regional governor, Veniamin Kondratyev, reported that fires broke out at two industrial locations following the strike but did not elaborate further. Russian media later indicated that a local oil refinery was among the sites hit.

The increasing use of drones and missile strikes by both sides highlights the persistent and evolving nature of the conflict, with neither party achieving decisive breakthroughs. The hostilities continue to exact a significant toll on civilians and infrastructure, underscoring the ongoing humanitarian and security challenges facing the region.