Russia and Ukraine exchange strikes amid diplomatic efforts and US envoy visits

Russia and Ukraine have carried out fresh overnight strikes against each other's territories, despite ongoing diplomatic preparations and scheduled visits by U.S. envoys to discuss potential peace proposals. Ukrainian emergency services reported civilian casualties across several regions, including Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, following Russian drone and missile attacks. In response, Ukrainian strikes targeted Russian infrastructure, including an oil refinery, alongside reported drone incidents in Belgorod and Sochi.

The continued hostilities follow claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump that both nations agreed to halt attacks on energy facilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv would only stop such strikes if Western allies guarantee Russian compliance regarding energy, general infrastructure, and food supply routes. Meanwhile, European Union officials condemned recent Russian strikes near the Ukrainian-Polish border as efforts to intimidate European partners.

Sources: Avaz, Beta, CDM, N1, Vijesti