Russian strikes hit Ukrainian cities as Kyiv targets Russian oil refinery
Russian missile and drone attacks hit Kyiv, Odesa, and Kryvyi Rih, while Ukraine targeted a Lukoil oil refinery inside Russia.
Russian forces executed a coordinated wave of strikes utilizing cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones against Ukrainian infrastructure in Kyiv, Odesa, and Chernihiv, causing power outages and civilian casualties. A strike on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih killed at least 15 people and injured over 130. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas condemned the strike, stating it demonstrated "the depravity of Russia," while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged UN Secretary-General António Guterres to help stop the conflict.
Ukrainian forces retaliated by launching long-range drones against a major Lukoil oil refinery inside Russia. On the diplomatic front, the United Kingdom and France approved the local production of Scalp cruise missiles in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Italy reiterated its decision not to send ground troops or join upcoming multinational maneuvers, and Moscow confirmed ongoing talks regarding potential prisoner exchanges.
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