Ukraine faces widespread Russian strikes as Western allies debate military support

Russian forces launched major missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, targeting civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, Odesa, and Chernihiv, leaving at least 13 dead and 40 injured. The attacks followed a devastating assault on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih that killed 15 people and wounded over 130, drawing sharp condemnation from European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who stated it "shows the depravity of Russia". In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to intervene, while Ukrainian forces struck a major Russian oil refinery.

Concurrently, the United Kingdom and France authorized localized production of Scalp cruise missiles inside Ukraine. However, Italy reaffirmed its opposition to deploying personnel, confirming it will not participate in multinational maneuvers planned for October. Meanwhile, Moscow indicated ongoing preparations for a potential prisoner exchange.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.