Russia and Ukraine trade overnight strikes ahead of US diplomatic talks

Overnight military strikes between Russian and Ukrainian forces continued across multiple regions despite concurrent diplomatic efforts involving American envoys. Ukrainian authorities reported several casualties from Russian drone and missile strikes in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, while Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian oil refinery and locations in Sochi and Belgorod.

The continued hostilities coincide with preparations for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York for discussions with US President Donald Trump. Although Trump stated both nations agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure, Zelensky insisted that Ukrainian compliance requires Western guarantees that Russia will also refrain from targeting energy, infrastructure, and food supply routes. Meanwhile, European Union officials condemned recent Russian strikes near the Polish border as calculated attempts to divide European allies.

Sources: Avaz, Beta, CDM, N1, Vijesti