Russia and Ukraine exchange heavy strikes as NATO drills near Kaliningrad

Cross-border attacks between Russia and Ukraine intensified overnight following the departure of American envoys from Kyiv. Russian forces launched ballistic missiles at the Ukrainian capital, killing at least two people and injuring six others, shortly after drone strikes damaged a manufacturing facility in northern Ukraine.

In response, Ukrainian long-range drones targeted industrial sites across Russia's Saratov and Samara regions. Samara Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishev stated that air defenses downed "dozens of unmanned aerial vehicles" aimed at local enterprises. The raid sparked a fire at the Kuibyshev oil refinery.

Concurrently, US-led NATO forces initiated military maneuvers near Russia's Kaliningrad exclave. The operations featured American and Norwegian fighter jets, AWACS reconnaissance aircraft, and Polish ground troops. NATO officials described the activity as defensive efforts to maintain operational readiness.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV