NATO forces conduct drills near Kaliningrad as Russia and Ukraine exchange strikes

U.S.-led NATO forces have conducted military maneuvers near Russia's Kaliningrad enclave, involving American and Norwegian fighter jets, AWACS reconnaissance aircraft, and Polish ground units. Addressing inquiries regarding the deployment, NATO characterized itself as a "defensive alliance" that constantly works to refine its operational capabilities.

The exercise coincides with escalated hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv overnight, killing at least two people and injuring six others, following an earlier attack on a commercial facility in northern Ukraine. In response, Ukrainian drones targeted industrial infrastructure in Russia's Samara and Saratov regions. Local officials reported shooting down dozens of drones, though a fire erupted at the Kuibyshev oil refinery in Samara and several casualties occurred in Saratov.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV