Cross-border strikes escalate as missile and drone attacks hit Kyiv and Russian regions

Deadly cross-border bombardments between Russia and Ukraine have intensified, resulting in significant casualties on both sides.

Russian missile and drone strikes targeting Kyiv and the surrounding capital region killed at least 17 people and injured dozens, while guided aerial bombs struck residential neighbourhoods in Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed appeals to international allies for additional air defence interceptors and stated that Ukrainian forces would not voluntarily withdraw from the Donbas region.

Concurrently, Ukrainian drone strikes targeted multiple Russian territories, including the outskirts of Moscow, the border region of Belgorod, Crimea, and a Black Sea resort area near Gelendzhik, causing multiple casualties. Zelensky stated that Russian forces have concentrated three rings of air defences around Moscow and Saint Petersburg to counter persistent aerial strikes.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica, La Stampa.