MOSCOW: At least 16 people were killed in Ukrainian and Russian strikes Saturday, in a deadly fifth summer of war as both sides intensify attacks, with diplomacy at a deadlock. Ukrainian drones also targeted a Siberian oil refinery and the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, escalating strikes deep inside Russia — which it says are aimed to weaken Russia’s war effort and force the Kremlin to negotiate. The deaths — in Russian-occupied Ukraine, north-eastern Ukraine and Russian border villages — come as the UN has warned of civilians dying in larger numbers recently in the almost 4.5-year war.

Four have been killed by Russian strikes in Ukraine, while four others died in Russia and Crimea, according to reports.

At least 17 people killed Friday in Russian and Ukrainian long-range strikes, as both sides intensify strikes with diplomacy in a deadlock.