Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
- The UN said at least 437 civilians were killed and 2,610 injured in July
- The figure is the highest monthly casualty toll in Ukraine since March 2022
- Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone destroyed the train’s engine
- The driver and his assistant were killed, while none of the 340 passengers were seriously hurt
Here is a roundup of the key developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine on Thursday, August 13, 2026:
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Skip next section Five killed defusing explosive device in Crimea08/13/2026August 13, 2026
Five killed defusing explosive device in Crimea
In separate news from the bombing that killed a Russian naval officer in Sevastopol, Crimea‘s Moscow-appointed figurehead said five people were killed while trying to defuse an explosive device in the same city.
Mikhail Razvozhayev said four emergency-service bomb disposal specialists and a security guard were carrying out clearance work following a Ukrainian drone attack. He said all five people involved were killed.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defences shot down or intercepted 362 Ukrainian drones overnight across several Russian and Russian-controlled regions, including Crimea.
Both Russia and Ukraine have stepped up long-range aerial attacks as the war enters its fifth year.
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https://p.dw.com/p/5IljCSkip next section Russian military officer killed in Crimea bomb attack08/13/2026August 13, 2026
Russian military officer killed in Crimea bomb attack
A Russian military officer was killed in a bomb attack in Russian-annexed Crimea, with authorities saying a woman was arrested on suspicion of carrying out the killing for Ukrainian special services.
The attack happened on Thursday in Sevastopol, Crimea’s largest city, the region’s appointed head, Mikhail Razvozhayev, said. Ukraine did not immediately comment.
Russian Telegram channels reported that the victim was Robert Shageyev, a former Ukrainian naval officer who switched allegiance to Russia when Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014.
The channels said Shageyev had been commanding the Ukrainian submarine Zaporizhzhia at the time.
Razvozhayev did not officially name either the victim or the suspect.
Russia’s FSB security service said the woman detained in connection with the killing was a Russian citizen, according to state news agency TASS.
Authorities suspect her of acting on behalf of Ukrainian special services.
An unofficial Ukrainian website, Myrotvorets, which lists people it regards as war criminals or traitors, said Shageyev had been “liquidated.”
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https://p.dw.com/p/5IlmBSkip next section Putin visits disputed Kuril Islands amid Ukraine tensions08/13/2026August 13, 2026
Putin visits disputed Kuril Islands amid Ukraine tensions
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the disputed Kuril Islands for the first time, drawing a strong protest from Japan.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the trip would further strain already difficult relations with Moscow over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Read more about the story here.
https://p.dw.com/p/5IldoSkip next section Ukraine civilian casualties hit highest level since 202208/13/2026August 13, 2026
Ukraine civilian casualties hit highest level since 2022
Civilian casualties in Ukraine have climbed to their highest monthly level since the early weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to the United Nations.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said it verified at least 437 civilians killed and 2,610 injured in July, a 30% rise from June and 70% more than in July 2025.
July recorded the highest overall number of civilian casualties since March 2022, while the number of people killed was the highest since May 2022.
The UN said the true toll was likely higher, with some reports still being verified.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, the UN has verified at least 16,874 civilian deaths and 51,273 injuries in Ukraine.
Long-range missiles and drones remained the biggest cause of civilian casualties in July, accounting for 38% of the total. Short-range drones operating close to the frontline accounted for another 27% of casualties.
“Civilians are facing intensified risks from the increased use of missiles and drones in urban centers, glide bombs in cities closer to the frontline, and short-range drones,” said head of the mission Danielle Bell.
Russia launched at least 429 missiles during the month, more than twice the number fired in June, according to the UN.
The deadliest attack came on July 2, when Russian forces launched 74 missiles and almost 500 long-range drones, mostly against Kyiv. At least 30 civilians were killed and 104 injured.
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https://p.dw.com/p/5IklPSkip next section Russian drone strike on Ukraine train kills two08/13/2026August 13, 2026
Russian drone strike on Ukraine train kills two
A Russian drone strike has hit a passenger train carrying hundreds of people in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, killing two railway workers, Ukrainian officials said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 340 people were on board when a drone struck and destroyed the locomotive.
Zelenskyy said the locomotive driver and his assistant were killed in the attack.
None of the passengers was injured, according to the head of Ukraine’s state railway operator.
Footage released by emergency services showed flames engulfing the damaged front of the train.
Zelenskyy accused the drone operator of knowingly targeting a civilian train, saying it would have been impossible not to recognize the nature of the target.
Russian forces have repeatedly struck Ukraine’s railway network during the war, hitting trains, stations and other infrastructure.
Kyiv says the attacks are intended both to disrupt transport and logistics and to target civilian life.
Zelenskyy said Russian forces had also launched more than 130 attack drones overnight, with strikes reported across 11 regions.
He again called for additional air defenses and stronger international pressure on Moscow.
https://p.dw.com/p/5IknMSkip next section Welcome to our coveragePublished 08/13/2026Published August 13, 2026last updated 08/13/2026last updated August 13, 2026
Welcome to our coverage
Richard Connor | Louis Oelofse Editor
The United Nations says civilian casualties in July reached their highest monthly level since the early weeks of the full-scale invasion.
A Russian drone strike has hit a passenger train in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, killing two railway workers but leaving hundreds of passengers unhurt.
The attack came during another heavy night of Russian drone strikes across Ukraine, with Zelenskyy again urging allies to provide more air defenses.
Stay with us for the latest on these stories and other developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
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