Russia launches widespread strikes across Ukraine as diplomatic and defense efforts expand

Russian strikes targeted multiple Ukrainian regions, including Kyiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, and Kryvyi Rih, where an attack on a commercial complex killed 15 people and injured over 130 others. European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas condemned the barrage, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to pursue all diplomatic channels to end the conflict.

In response, Ukrainian drones struck a major Lukoil refinery inside Russia as Moscow indicated talks regarding a potential prisoner exchange remain active. On the military front, the United Kingdom authorized France and Ukraine to manufacture Scalp cruise missiles locally. Meanwhile, Italy reaffirmed its opposition to deploying troops to Ukraine and confirmed it will not participate in joint multinational military maneuvers scheduled for October.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.