Russia and Ukraine exchange strikes as NATO forces operate near Kaliningrad

Overnight military escalation saw Russia and Ukraine exchange heavy strikes following the departure of US envoys from Kyiv. Russian forces launched ballistic missile strikes against the Ukrainian capital, killing at least two people and injuring six others, while a previous drone attack damaged a commercial British American Tobacco facility in northern Ukraine. In response, Ukrainian long-range drones targeted energy and industrial infrastructure across Russia's Samara and Saratov regions. Local officials reported air defense systems downed dozens of drones, though a significant fire broke out at the Kuibyshev oil refinery.

Concurrently, US-led NATO forces conducted notable operations near the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, involving American, Norwegian, and Polish units alongside surveillance aircraft. NATO stated the alliance remains defensive while continuously refining its operational capabilities.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV