Russian strikes hit civilian areas across Ukraine as Italy opts out of military drills

Russian forces launched extensive overnight drone and missile attacks targeting civilian infrastructure across Ukraine, causing casualties and damage in Kyiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, and Kryvyi Rih. A strike on a Kryvyi Rih shopping center left at least 15 people dead and over 130 injured, drawing condemnation from EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged UN Secretary-General António Guterres to take action to stop the war.

In retaliatory operations, Ukrainian forces targeted a major Lukoil oil refinery inside Russia. Meanwhile, Moscow indicated that talks concerning a potential prisoner exchange remain active.

Diplomatically, the United Kingdom approved joint French-Ukrainian production of SCALP cruise missiles. Concurrently, Italy reaffirmed its firm opposition to sending troops to Ukraine, confirming it will not participate in multinational coalition exercises planned for this autumn.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.