Russian strikes hit Ukrainian cities as Kyiv targets Russian oil refinery
Russia launched major drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, prompting Ukrainian retaliatory raids and diplomatic warnings between Moscow and Western nations.
Russian forces launched widespread combined missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, striking civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, and Kryvyi Rih. A strike on Kryvyi Rih's largest shopping centre killed at least 15 people and injured over 130 others.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the long-prepared offensive aimed to inflict maximum damage, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas denounced the attacks. In response, Ukrainian forces targeted a Lukoil oil refinery inside Russia.
Meanwhile, Moscow reported progress on potential prisoner exchanges while issuing threats to the United Kingdom over Western approvals for local cruise missile manufacturing in Ukraine. Additionally, Italy confirmed it will not participate in October's multinational military exercises and reiterated its refusal to deploy troops.
Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.
Sources
- 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 25, 2026, 05:30 PM UTCEU warns Moscow following fresh Kyiv strikes and German sabotage probe
- Oct 25, 2026, 01:00 PM UTCMoscow targets Ukraine's energy grid as European Union warns against sabotage
- Oct 25, 2026, 07:00 AM UTCRussia targets Ukraine's energy grid as EU warns against territorial attacks
- Oct 24, 2026, 07:00 PM UTCRussian strikes hit Kyiv as EU warns Moscow over European drone sabotage
- Oct 24, 2026, 05:30 PM UTCEU vows response to hostile Russian acts as drone strikes hit Kyiv
- Oct 24, 2026, 01:00 PM UTCEU vows response after suspected Russian drone sabotage attempt in Germany
- Oct 24, 2026, 11:30 AM UTCKyiv targeted by Russian drones following Zelensky's UN address
- Oct 24, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCEU pledges response following drone sabotage probe and continued strikes on Kyiv
- Oct 24, 2026, 12:30 AM UTCEuropean Commission warns Moscow following sabotage probe and renewed strikes on Kyiv
- Oct 23, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCEU warns Moscow as drone strikes hit Kyiv and Leipzig probe deepens