Russia and Ukraine exchange strikes as NATO increases activity near Kaliningrad

Russia and Ukraine exchanged overnight strikes as military tension escalated across Eastern Europe. Russian ballistic missiles hit Kyiv, killing at least two people and injuring six others, following a prior drone attack on a British American Tobacco plant in northern Ukraine.

In response, Ukrainian drones targeted industrial sites in Russia's Samara and Saratov regions. Samara Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishev reported that air defenses intercepted dozens of drones, though a fire broke out at the Kuibyshev oil refinery. Casualties were also reported in Saratov.

Concurrently, NATO forces conducted heightened operations around the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. Led by the United States, the manoeuvres involved American and Norwegian fighter jets, AWACS surveillance aircraft, and Polish ground forces. NATO stated the maneuvers reflect its stance as a "defensive alliance" focused on improving capabilities.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV