Russia targets Ukrainian cities in major strike wave as Kyiv retaliates
Russian missile and drone strikes caused widespread casualties in Ukraine, prompting a Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian refinery and new European military support.
Russian forces launched a coordinated overnight wave of strikes across Ukraine using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, causing power outages and widespread destruction in Kyiv, Odesa, and Chernihiv. A strike on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih killed at least 15 people and injured more than 130 others. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas condemned the attack as demonstrating "the depravity of Russia," while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged UN Secretary-General António Guterres to help end the conflict.
Ukrainian drones retaliated by targeting a major Lukoil refinery inside Russian territory. On the diplomatic and military fronts, the United Kingdom and France authorized local production of Scalp cruise missiles within Ukraine. Meanwhile, Italy reaffirmed its decision not to send ground troops or join upcoming multinational maneuvers scheduled for October. Moscow also stated that negotiations regarding potential prisoner exchanges remain ongoing.
Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica.
Sources
- Il Sole 24 Ore — Guerra in Ucraina, ultime notizie. Missili russi su Kiev e aree circostanti, 12 morti
- ANSA — Ucraina, raid russo notturno su Kiev, Zelensky: 'Tredici morti e 40 feriti'
- La Repubblica — Guerra Ucraina - Russia, le news di oggi. Almeno 15 morti in un raid russo in un centro commerciale. Allarme aereo a Kiev
- Corriere della Sera — LIVE | Raid su una maxi-raffineria Lukoil. Mosca: «Al lavoro per uno scambio di prigionieri»
Earlier coverage
- Oct 17, 2026, 05:00 PM UTCVon der Leyen warns against attacks on EU territory as Leipzig drone suspects identified
- Oct 17, 2026, 12:30 PM UTCRussian strikes hit Kyiv following Zelensky's UN General Assembly address
- Oct 17, 2026, 11:30 AM UTCRussia targets Ukrainian energy grid following drone strikes on Kyiv
- Oct 17, 2026, 11:00 AM UTCEU vows response to Leipzig drones as Russian strikes hit Kyiv
- Oct 17, 2026, 06:30 AM UTCRussian strikes target Kyiv as European officials warn against hybrid threats
- Oct 17, 2026, 12:30 AM UTCRussia targets Kyiv grid as EU warns against hybrid threats after Leipzig drone discovery
- Oct 16, 2026, 11:00 PM UTCRussian strikes hit Kyiv as EU warns against hybrid threats
- Oct 16, 2026, 06:30 PM UTCEU warns Moscow after drone incidents as Russia targets Ukrainian energy
- Oct 16, 2026, 05:30 PM UTCEU warns against Russian hybrid threats as strikes hit Kyiv and energy targets
- Oct 16, 2026, 05:00 PM UTCEU warns Moscow over hybrid threats as Russian drone strikes hit Kyiv