Cross-border strikes intensify as casualties rise across Ukraine and Russia

A series of cross-border drone strikes and frontline escalations continued across Ukraine and Russia. In Kyiv, a Russian overnight attack killed nine people and injured 33 others, while Belarus announced the creation of a new air assault brigade along its border with Ukraine.

On the battlefield, Russian troops secured tactical advances near Artelne in Kharkiv Oblast, whereas Ukrainian forces pushed forward near Velyka Novosilka and Uspenivka in southern Donetsk.

Simultaneously, Ukrainian drone strikes targeted multiple Russian regions. Attacks in Moscow Oblast resulted in five deaths and ten injuries. In Leningrad Oblast, air defenses reportedly intercepted 17 drones, though debris ignited a fire at a Wildberries e-commerce warehouse. In Krasnodar Krai, a drone fell on a beach in Arkhipo-Osipovka, killing seven people, including three children.

Sources: France24, Mediazona, Point, The Insider, Радіо Свобода