Mutual strikes hit Kyiv and Russian refineries as NATO conducts drills near Kaliningrad

Tensions escalated overnight as Russia and Ukraine launched major aerial attacks following the departure of U.S. envoys from Kyiv. Russian ballistic missiles hit Ukraine's capital, killing at least two people and injuring six others, shortly after a drone strike damaged a tobacco plant in northern Ukraine.

In response, Ukrainian drones targeted industrial facilities across Russia's Samara and Saratov regions. A fire broke out at the Kuibyshev oil refinery in Samara, though regional officials claimed air defense systems intercepted dozens of incoming drones.

Concurrently, German media reported unusual U.S.-led NATO military operations near the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. The exercises involved American, Norwegian, and Polish forces alongside specialized reconnaissance aircraft. NATO officials described the activity as necessary defensive readiness training.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV