Russian strikes on eastern Ukraine killed at least six people overnight, local authorities reported, as Moscow claimed its air defenses intercepted 605 Ukrainian drones. The attacks occurred as the conflict continues with significant casualties on both sides.

In the eastern Kharkiv region, three people were killed and homes were destroyed in the town of Balakliya. Vitalii Karabanov, head of the military administration there, stated the victims included two women and a man, as rescuers worked to clear debris from the strikes.

Further north, in the Sumy region, three more people died overnight and at least 19 others were wounded. The city of Sumy was among the areas targeted with guided aerial bombs, according to Ukrainian police. The Dnipropetrovsk region also reported two people wounded from a Russian attack, and a drone strike in the southern Kherson region injured six people in a van.

In Ukraine's Black Sea maritime zone, a Russian attack damaged a foreign-flagged ship carrying wheat, resulting in the death of one crew member and a subsequent fire. The vessel, identified as the Mera Queen and flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, was reportedly hit late Wednesday. This incident is part of a broader pattern of Russian attacks targeting Ukraine's Black Sea ports and export routes, which have intensified over the past month.

Concurrently, Russia's Ministry of Defence announced that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 605 Ukrainian drones overnight. The ministry's statement indicated these drones were targeting Russian territory and the annexed Crimean Peninsula. The reported drone activity marks one of the largest numbers claimed to have been intercepted in a single night.

One of the reported targets of the drone activity was a logistics center belonging to the Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries, which sustained minor damage. This follows a previous drone strike on another Wildberries warehouse in the Tver region. Since July 18, at least 20 warehouses owned by the company have reportedly been attacked. Ukraine has previously alleged that Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, plays a role in supplying dual-use items that could support Moscow's war effort.

The ongoing attacks highlight the persistent and widespread nature of the conflict, with both sides reporting significant strikes and defensive actions. The civilian toll continues to rise, particularly in frontline regions and areas targeted for their strategic or economic importance.

Questions remain about the full extent of the damage and casualties from both the Russian strikes in Ukraine and the claimed drone interceptions by Russia. The strategic implications of the attacks on trade routes and supply chains for companies like Wildberries also continue to be a point of focus.