As the Russia-Ukraine war continues past 1,300 days, new fighting, diplomatic tensions, and international warnings highlight how this conflict still reshapes global security.
The Russia-Ukraine war shows no signs of slowing, with day 1,323 marked by heavy fighting, diplomatic warnings, and shifting alliances. From frontline battles in Ukraine’s east to political speeches in Europe, the conflict’s reach continues to expand.
Fighting Intensifies in Eastern Ukraine
Three civilians were killed and another injured after Ukrainian shelling struck Russia’s Belgorod region, according to local officials. Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defence announced that its forces had taken control of Novohryhorivka, a small settlement in Ukraine’s Zaporizhia region — part of Moscow’s ongoing advance in the south.
Russia also claimed its air defence units destroyed 53 Ukrainian drones overnight, as cross-border drone warfare continues to escalate.
In his nightly address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian forces had killed thousands of Russian soldiers in the Dobropillia region since launching their counteroffensive on August 21. He also claimed Ukraine’s drone and missile attacks on Russian oil facilities had severely degraded energy supplies, forcing Moscow to dip into its diesel reserves.
Europe Warns of Hybrid Warfare
In Strasbourg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that drone incidents and airspace violations across the continent signal a new phase of hybrid warfare.
She stated, “Europe can either shy away and watch Russian threats escalate, or meet them with unity, deterrence, and resolve.”
Von der Leyen accused Russia of trying to sow division and weaken support for Ukraine, while President Vladimir Putin denied involvement in the drone incursions.
Military Aid and Diplomatic Strain
Tensions flared after reports that the United States may supply Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles. Andrei Kartapolov, head of Russia’s parliament defence committee, warned that Moscow would respond harshly, saying, “Those who supply them and those who use them will have problems.”
On the diplomatic front, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov admitted that recent efforts to find a peace deal have “lost momentum.” He urged the US to take a more “sober and responsible approach” to avoid what he called a “qualitative change” in the conflict.
A War Still Rewriting Global Security
From the battlefields of Zaporizhia to the halls of Strasbourg, the Russia-Ukraine war continues to shape the future of European security and global diplomacy. Day 1,323 offers another reminder that the world’s most watched conflict remains far from over.