Ukraine hits Russian refinery after deadly Russian strikes across major cities

Following extensive Russian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, international reaction mounted alongside rising casualties. The attacks targeted civilian infrastructure in cities including Kyiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, and Kryvyi Rih, where a strike on a prominent shopping centre left at least 15 people dead and over 130 injured.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas condemned the barrage, stating it demonstrated the "depravity of Russia", while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged UN Secretary-General António Guterres to "do everything to stop the war". Ukrainian forces subsequently targeted a major Lukoil oil refinery inside Russia.

Concurrently, Moscow issued warnings toward the United Kingdom following Western authorization permitting Ukraine to manufacture Scalp cruise missiles locally. Russian officials also reported ongoing prisoner exchange talks, while Italy reiterated its opposition to deploying troops and confirmed it will not participate in planned October multinational military exercises.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.