The Russia-Ukraine drone war has officially expanded its guest list, with Moldova now hosting an uninvited aerial show. Two people died when Russian drones hit the Starokozache border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The crossing, about 500km (310 miles) south of Kyiv, was promptly shut after the overnight attack, leaving burnt-out cars as the latest in modern art installations.

Meanwhile, in Kyiv, a woman was killed and 14 people, including two children, were injured when a Russian drone hit a nine-storey building. In Sumy, a shopping centre became an unintended target, killing three and injuring 20, as regional head Oleg Hryhorov confirmed the aftermath efforts were ongoing. Because nothing says 'retail therapy' like a drone strike.

Not to be outdone, Russia reported its own drone-related grievances. Four people, including a child, died in a Ukrainian drone attack on the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, with 29 injured. The governor, Veniamin Kondratiev, described it as a 'massive overnight enemy drone attack,' which damaged residential buildings, a church, and a preschool - because war spares no one, not even Sunday school.

Even the Arctic got a piece of the action: a drone hit an industrial facility in Novy Urengoy. Governor Dmitry Artyukhov said the wreckage caused a fire but no injuries, which is probably the best news anyone in that region has had all week. Ukraine's military later claimed responsibility, saying it hit the Novourengoysky ZPKT oil refinery, over 3,000km from the border, to hamper Russia's war machine. Talk about long-distance relationships.

Moldova's Prime Minister Vasile Tofan confirmed 17 drones struck Moldovan territory in August alone - more than all of last year. 'Those who ignore or downplay these threats - and refuse to name the aggressor - are denying reality,' he wrote. 'Russia started this war. Russia alone bears responsibility.' Bold words from a country that's increasingly finding itself in the crossfire.

This all comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts, because nothing says 'peace talks' like a 596-drone shootdown night, as Russia's defence ministry claimed. The strikes follow a phone call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump about ending the war, and US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff visited Moscow and Kyiv. The Kremlin says it's too early to discuss a date or venue for talks, which is diplomatic speak for 'we're still enjoying the chaos.'