Russia and Ukraine trade strikes despite diplomatic peace efforts

Overnight cross-border military strikes between Russia and Ukraine persisted despite scheduled diplomatic engagements with U.S. envoys. Russian missile and drone salvos struck multiple Ukrainian regions, killing civilians in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, while EU officials denounced a strike near the Polish border as an attempt to intimidate European partners. Ukrainian forces launched retaliatory drone strikes hitting a Russian oil refinery along with targets in Sochi and Belgorod.

The ongoing hostilities follow claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that both nations agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy countered that Kyiv's participation requires Western guarantees enforcing Russian restraint against Ukrainian energy, infrastructure, and supply corridors. Meanwhile, U.S. diplomatic representatives are arriving in Moscow and Kyiv over the weekend to discuss proposed peace frameworks.

Sources: Avaz, Beta, CDM (Cafe del Montenegro), N1, Vijesti