Russia and Ukraine exchange strikes as diplomatic efforts continue

Cross-border strikes between Russia and Ukraine continued overnight despite planned visits by American envoys seeking to advance peace talks. Ukrainian emergency services reported civilian casualties across multiple regions, including Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, while Kyiv launched drone strikes against a Russian oil refinery, Sochi, and Belgorod.

The ongoing hostilities follow assertions by former U.S. President Donald Trump that both nations agreed to refrain from targeting energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy clarified that Kyiv will only pause strikes if Western partners ensure Moscow halts attacks on Ukraine’s power grid, transport networks, and food supplies. Meanwhile, European Union diplomats condemned recent Russian strikes near the Ukrainian-Polish border as an effort to intimidate European allies, and Zelenskyy issued a decree removing Ukraine's prosecutor general.

Sources: Avaz, Beta, CDM, N1, Vijesti