Ukraine war updates: Russian drones threaten key Danube ports

Ukraine's military said key ports on the Danube River came under fire in the early hours of Wednesday.

Russian-operated drones flew towards the Izmail port on the Danube River near the border with Romania, the air force said.

Groups on social media reported hearing air defense systems firing at the port of Izmail and at another in Reni.

Residents were told to take cover and an air raid alert was issued, but was later lifted.

The move comes after a Russian attack in early August hit the Izmail port, prompting a spike in global food prices.

Here's an overview of some of the main stories concerning Russia's war in Ukraine on Wednesday, August 16: 

US asks Iran to stop selling drones to Russia: FT

The United States has asked Iran to stop selling armed drones and spare parts to Russia, the Financial Times newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. This was part of a broader discussion of "unwritten understanding" between Washington and Tehran. 

Both Russia and Ukraine are using armed drones in the ongoing war.

One of the officials added that Iran, which has officially denied that its drones are being used in Ukraine, had repeatedly asked Moscow to cease their deployment in Ukraine. Washington urged more concrete steps. 

Russia says it destroyed three Ukrainian drones

The Russian military shot down three Ukrainian drones that were trying to attack targets in the Kaluga region, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Today around 5:00 Moscow time, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack by three drones on facilities in the Kaluga region was foiled," it said, according to Russian news agency Interfax.

"Russian air defense means detected and destroyed all UAVs in time. There were no damages or casualties," the ministry said.