Deadly Russian strikes hit Ukraine as Kyiv targets Lukoil refinery

A wave of Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine targeted civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, Odesa, and Chernihiv, causing at least 13 deaths and 40 injuries, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The offensive followed a Russian strike on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih that left 15 dead and over 130 injured, prompting EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas to condemn the attack. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces conducted a raid on a major Lukoil refinery in Russia, while Moscow announced ongoing negotiations regarding a potential prisoner exchange.

On the military front, the United Kingdom and France authorized Ukraine to locally produce Scalp cruise missiles, eliciting warnings of retaliation from the Kremlin. Concurrently, Italy reaffirmed its opposition to sending troops to Ukraine and declined participation in planned multinational military maneuvers set for October.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.