Russia's Foreign Ministry has warned of a "devastating" response to any further escalation in the Baltic region, as a fire broke out at one of its key ports and NATO scrambled jets near the Latvian border. The warning came amid heightened tensions over Russian drone activity and ongoing disputes over Black Sea shipping.
Russia's warning and Baltic incidents
At her weekly briefing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that "in the event of a further escalation of the military-political situation in the Baltic region," Russia's response to the "instigators of reckless anti-Russian ventures" would be "decisive" and "devastating for them." She did not specify which events prompted the statement.
Earlier the same day, a fire broke out at Russia's Baltic port of Ust-Luga, which the regional governor said occurred following a drone attack. Separately, NATO scrambled military aircraft due to a possible air threat in Latvia's airspace near the town of Ludza, close to the Russian border, as reported by Deutsche Welle. The reports did not establish a direct connection between Zakharova's statement, the fire at Ust-Luga, and NATO's decision to scramble aircraft.
Black Sea moratorium rejected
Russia does not believe a moratorium on attacks in the Black Sea would bring a peaceful resolution to the war closer, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said, as quoted by Interfax. Both sides have stepped up attacks in the Black Sea in recent months, driving global grain prices higher. In mid-August, Ukraine reportedly conveyed an offer to Russia through a third party proposing that both sides halt attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea, according to Deutsche Welle.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Monday that his country had prepared a plan to ensure the safe passage of grain through the Black Sea and was working on an agreement similar to the 2022 grain deal that would facilitate safe exports.
EU push for air defenses and civilian toll
At a meeting of EU defense ministers in Wicklow, Ireland, the bloc's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said July and August have been the deadliest months for civilians in Ukraine. She said securing additional interceptors remains difficult due to some countries' security pressures.
Germany's foreign minister said Berlin would respond in a measured way to the discovery of an explosives-laden drone near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Johann Wadephul, a German official, said Germany would not be intimidated and stands side by side with Ukraine.
Strikes and casualties in Ukraine and Russia
Ukraine's air force said Russia struck at least 28 locations in overnight attacks, involving ballistic, cruise and anti-radar missiles and more than 200 drones. At least 11 people were killed in the capital region, including seven in Kyiv's Darnytskyi district. A Russian strike on a Kyiv railway depot killed seven people, according to Ukrzaliznytsia CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi. Emergency services said eight people were killed and five wounded in Kyiv, including three children.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a Russian strike deliberately damaged a border crossing point on the border with Romania. Russia's Defense Ministry said it targeted military and energy facilities in Kyiv, Odesa, and nearby areas.
In Russia, acting Governor Alexander Shuvayev said one person was killed in the Belgorod region in a Ukrainian attack.
Military targeting of shipping
In August, Commander Robert Brov said Ukraine struck 54 Russian "shadow fleet" vessels. Russia's state news agency Tass reported that Russia attacked more than 150 seagoing vessels involved in military cargo deliveries for the Ukrainian army.