Ukraine and Russia continue strikes despite diplomatic efforts and envoy visits

Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts and planned visits by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, cross-border strikes between Russian and Ukrainian forces continued overnight. Russian attacks across several Ukrainian regions, including Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, resulted in at least two deaths and multiple injuries. Concurrently, Ukrainian drone strikes reportedly injured seven people in Russia's Sochi and Belgorod regions.

The escalated hostilities coincide with statements from US President Donald Trump claiming both nations agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky specified that Ukraine would comply only if Western partners guarantee Russian adherence across energy, civil infrastructure, and supply networks. Meanwhile, Ukrainian media reported military units received orders for a four-day operational pause starting at midnight. In response to a recent Russian strike near the Ukrainian-Polish border, EU diplomatic chief Kaja Kallas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the act as an attempt to intimidate and divide European allies.

Sources: Beta, CDM (Cafe del Montenegro), Index, N1, Vijesti