Russian air strikes hit Ukrainian cities as Kyiv secures Western missile deal
Massive Russian strikes hit Ukrainian cities including Kryvyi Rih and Kyiv, while Western allies authorize local manufacturing of Scalp cruise missiles in Ukraine.
Russian forces launched coordinated overnight air strikes using missiles and drones across Ukraine, hitting Kyiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, and Kryvyi Rih. A strike on a Kryvyi Rih shopping center killed at least 15 people and injured over 130, leading EU diplomatic chief Kaja Kallas to denounce "the depravity of Russia." Local authorities reported widespread power disruptions, with initial casualty figures varying across regions.
Ukrainian forces retaliated by targeting a Russian Lukoil oil refinery with drones. On the diplomatic and defense front, the United Kingdom and France approved local production of Scalp cruise missiles in Ukraine, while Italy confirmed it will not join planned multinational military exercises in October. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres to help stop the war, as Kremlin officials acknowledged active discussions regarding a possible prisoner exchange.
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, 11:00 PM UTCRussia launches campaign against Ukraine's energy grid as drone strikes hit Kyiv
- 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