Russia has launched a fresh barrage of drones and missiles on Ukraine, killing at least six people.Vladimir Putin’s forces launched 597 drones and 26 missiles targeting the west of the country on Saturday,

As Russia intensifies its air strikes against Ukraine, its tactics have visibly shifted, with a growing number of missile and drone attacks now targeting western regions once considered relatively safe.

Ukraine’s farmers, especially those near the front lines, are caught between the demands of the armed forces and Russian attacks. But despite the challenges he faces, Dmytro Maksymov, who farms 1,500 hectares in Kherson province, says dealing with them “is better than occupation”.

Between January and June, the number of Russian drone and missile attacks exceeded 23,000, a roughly 605% increase compared to the same period last year.

Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine of the conflict to date on July 3, days after the Pentagon paused weapons deliveries to Ukraine.

Russia launched its largest drone and missile bombardment of Ukraine overnight into Wednesday, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

When Ukraine turned a corner of Russia’s Kursk region into a battlefield, it set in motion some of the war’s fiercest fighting. Our photographer documented the aftermath.