Russia targets Ukrainian cities as Rome rules out military deployment

Russian missile and drone strikes hit infrastructure across Kyiv, Odesa, and Chernihiv, while a strike on a Kryvyi Rih shopping center killed 15 people and injured over 130. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas said the attack "shows the depravity of Russia," while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to the United Nations to intervene. In response, Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian Lukoil refinery, as Moscow reported ongoing talks on prisoner exchanges.

Diplomatically, the United Kingdom authorized joint French-Ukrainian production of SCALP cruise missiles, prompting Kremlin warnings. Italy reaffirmed its stance against deploying troops to Ukraine and declined to join upcoming coalition exercises this autumn.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.