The Russia-Ukraine war has taken another dramatic turn, with both sides intensifying attacks on critical infrastructure over the weekend. In a war that’s already stretched on for years, this latest back-and-forth suggests there’s no sign of a pause—especially with global powers like the U.S. ramping up their pressure on the Kremlin. Putin Targets Bridge in Kherson as He Pushes for More Territory In a bold move that sent shockwaves across the region, Russian forces launched two guided bombs to obliterate a vital road bridge in the Ukrainian city of Kherson. The strike, aimed at a crossing over the Dnipro River, essentially cut off access to the Korabel district—a heavily populated area that had to be swiftly evacuated. This wasn’t just a military blow; it was a major disruption to civilian life, damaging three private homes and a residential high-rise in the process. One local was reported injured, highlighting once again how everyday people are caught in the crossfire of Putin’s push to control the entire Kherson region. Ukraine Strikes Back with Explosive Hit on Russian Oil Depot in Sochi Ukraine didn’t sit back. In a fiery counterpunch, Kyiv launched a significant drone strike on a massive oil depot near Sochi—a Black Sea resort city closely linked to President Putin himself. The depot, reportedly tied to Russian military operations and located near one of Putin’s palaces, erupted in flames after more than 30 powerful explosions. The chaos spilled over to Sochi’s airport, a frequent hub for the Russian president. More than 50 tourist flights were either delayed or rerouted, and passengers were forced into underground shelters. Among them was a well-known Russian propagandist who live-posted her fear and frustration as explosions rattled the windows. Massive Fire Draws Huge Emergency Response The drone strike caused a blaze that firefighters scrambled to contain. With the depot holding a whopping 76,000 cubic feet of fuel, more than 120 responders were deployed to prevent an even bigger disaster. The fire raged through the night as Russia attempted to downplay the damage while struggling to bring the situation under control. Both Sides Ramp Up Drone Warfare This tit-for-tat between Russia and Ukraine has become the new normal. Both countries are now relying heavily on drone strikes to target each other’s infrastructure. Russia claimed its air defence shot down 93 Ukrainian drones overnight, while Ukraine reported intercepting 61 out of 83 drones and missiles launched by Russia. And this isn’t just about fuel depots and bridges—residential areas, postal offices, and entire apartment buildings continue to take hits as both militaries expand their battlefield deep into each other’s territories. A New Wave of Attacks Hits Mykolaiv and Kyiv The city of Mykolaiv, once a frontline hotspot, was battered again by a wave of Russian drones and missiles. Seven people were injured, including two who were hospitalised. Photos from the scene show the haunting aftermath—collapsed buildings, shattered homes, and a once-normal street now turned into rubble. Kyiv also faced another attempted missile strike overnight. Thankfully, this time there were no injuries or reported damage, but the capital remains on edge following a deadly attack just days earlier that killed 31 people. Nuclear Tensions Spike as IAEA Sounds the Alarm Adding another layer of danger, reports of blasts near the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant have sparked international concern. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued a stark warning, urging both sides to stop launching attacks near the site. The fear of a nuclear accident is once again hovering over Europe like a dark cloud. Ukraine Expands Strikes Deeper into Russian Territory Meanwhile, Ukraine has started hitting deeper inside Russia. A drone attack on the Voronezh region left four civilians wounded in a residential complex. Military drones also struck near Nizhny Novgorod and in the Leningrad region, disrupting air travel around St. Petersburg. It’s clear Ukraine is no longer limiting its targets to border areas—it’s reaching for Russia’s nerve centers to push back against the constant barrage. Trump Threatens Putin with Tariffs and Deploys Submarines On the international stage, U.S. President Donald Trump has been turning up the heat. After warning Putin he had 50 days to come to the table for peace, Trump shortened that window, now saying Russia has until August 8 or face crippling sanctions—especially on oil exports. On top of that, Trump ordered two nuclear submarines to move “closer to Russia.” While symbolic, the move sends a loud message. Trump told reporters, “We had to be careful. A threat was made and we didn’t think it was appropriate. So we’re going to protect our people.” A Deadly Week With No End in Sight All of this has unfolded after a particularly bloody stretch in the war. From Thursday’s devastating strike on Kyiv that killed 31 people, to ongoing battles across southern Ukraine and inside Russian cities, the violence is escalating. Civilians are paying the highest price as leaders refuse to back down.