Deadly Russian strikes hit Ukrainian cities as Kyiv targets Russian oil refinery

Russian strikes across Ukraine have left at least 28 people dead and scores injured following overnight missile and drone bombardments targeting civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, and Kryvyi Rih. A direct hit on a Kryvyi Rih shopping centre killed 15 people and wounded 130 others, drawing sharp condemnation from EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who stated the attack demonstrated the "depravation of Russia."

In response to the escalated attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres to exert every effort to halt the conflict. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces conducted a retaliatory raid on a Lukoil oil refinery in Russia. Moscow reported that preparations for a potential prisoner exchange remain underway. On the diplomatic front, Italy reaffirmed that it will not deploy troops to Ukraine as part of upcoming multinational maneuvers scheduled for October.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.