Russia and Ukraine trade strikes ahead of US peace talks

Cross-border strikes between Russian and Ukrainian forces persisted overnight as American envoys prepare to visit Kyiv and Moscow to discuss peace proposals. Ukrainian authorities reported casualties across several regions, including fatalities in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, following Russian drone and missile strikes. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces hit another Russian oil refinery and targeted sites in Sochi and Belgorod.

The hostilities coincide with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's trip to the United States. While US President Donald Trump stated both nations agreed to stop targeting energy infrastructure, Zelenskyy conditioned Ukrainian compliance on Western guarantees that Moscow halts attacks on civil and energy targets. Additionally, EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas condemned a Russian strike on a train near the Polish border as an attempt to intimidate European allies.

Sources: Avaz, Beta, CDM, N1, Vijesti