Russia and Ukraine exchange strikes as U.S.-led NATO drills near Kaliningrad ramp up

Following the departure of U.S. envoys from Kyiv, overnight missile and drone exchanges escalated between Russia and Ukraine. Russian forces targeted Kyiv with ballistic missiles, leaving at least two people dead and six injured, following earlier strikes on a British American Tobacco facility in northern Ukraine. In response, Ukrainian drones targeted industrial facilities across Russia's Samara and Saratov regions. Local officials reported casualties and confirmed that a fire broke out at the Kuibyshev oil refinery after air defenses intercepted numerous incoming drones. Meanwhile, U.S.-led NATO operations intensified near Russia's Kaliningrad enclave. The maneuvers involved American and Norwegian fighter aircraft, AWACS and EA-37 reconnaissance planes, and Polish ground forces. NATO characterized the mission as routine exercises aimed at enhancing defensive capabilities.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV