Russian strikes hit Ukrainian cities as Kyiv targets Lukoil refinery

Severe Russian air strikes involving cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones targeted Kyiv, Odesa, and Chernihiv, inflicting extensive damage on civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported multiple casualties across affected regions following a deadly attack on a Kryvyi Rih shopping center. In response, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas denounced the actions, while Zelensky requested direct intervention from UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Simultaneously, Ukrainian forces executed a drone raid against a major Lukoil refinery inside Russia. Moscow indicated that negotiations regarding a potential prisoner exchange remain active despite heightened tensions over Western authorization for localized production of Scalp cruise missiles in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Italian officials reaffirmed that Italy will not deploy troops or participate in upcoming multinational military maneuvers.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.