Ukraine war updates: Kyiv says downed 22 Russian drones in Odesa

Ukraine's air force said on Sunday that it destroyed 22 out of 25 drones in a Russian attack on the southwestern Ukrainian region of Odesa.

The attack injured at least two people and hit "civilian infrastructure" at the Danube River port, Ukrainian officials said. 

The attack was reported shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy said that two more ships had passed through a temporary "grain corridor" in the Black Sea.

Meanwhile, a British intelligence report said Moscow was trying to recruit citizens from neighboring countries and Central Asian migrants for its war, in an apparent bid to avoid further unpopular domestic mobilization before next year's elections. 

Here are more headlines concerning Russia's war in Ukraine on Sunday, September 3:

Russia recruiting migrants, Central Asian nationals: UK

The British Defense Ministry said in its regular intelligence update that Moscow has been trying to recruit fighters from its neighboring countries as of late June. 

The report cited adverts in Armenia and Kazakhstan offering 495,000 rubles ($5,140, €4,761) in initial payments and monthly salaries starting from 190,000 rubles.  

It added that Russia had made efforts to appeal to the ethnic Russian population in Kazakhstan's northern Qostanai region.

The Kremlin also likely views the over 6 million migrants from Central Asia in Russia as potential recruits, the British government posits. According to the report, some Central Asian migrants were approached "with promises of fast-track citizenship" and salaries of up to $4,160.

"Russia likely wishes to avoid further unpopular domestic mobilization measures in the run up to the 2024 presidential elections," it said.  

"Exploiting foreign nationals allows the Kremlin to acquire additional personnel for its war effort in the face of mounting casualties."

Ukraine says shot down 22 Russian drones in Odesa

The Ukrainian air force said on Sunday that Russian launched an overnight attack on the southwestern Odesa region that lasted more than three hours. 

It said that the drones were Iranian-made Shahed models and that 22 of 25 were shot down. 

A least two people were injured and a Danube River port infrastructure was hit in the attack, according to the air force.

Russia has stepped up its attacks on Odesa and Mykolaiv, in southern Ukraine, after it halted a UN-brokered deal that allowed safe shipments from the Black Sea. 

The two Ukrainian regions are home to vital ports and infrastructure for grain shipment. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Saturday that two more vessels had passed through the temporary "Black Sea grain corridor," which Ukraine is using to release cargo ships that have been trapped in its ports since Russia's invasion.