Ukraine retaliates with refinery strike as Russian raids kill 15
Widespread Russian strikes across Ukraine leave at least 15 dead, prompting Ukrainian drone retaliation against a Russian oil refinery and new defense pacts with European allies.
Russia executed widespread overnight missile and drone strikes targeting Ukrainian infrastructure across Kyiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, and Kryvyi Rih, killing at least 15 people and injuring over 100. European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas denounced the assault on a Kryvyi Rih shopping center, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested United Nations assistance to end the conflict.
In response, Ukrainian drones hit a major Lukoil oil refinery inside Russian territory. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and France authorized the local production of Scalp cruise missiles within Ukraine. Italy confirmed it will abstain from planned multinational military drills in October, reiterating its opposition to deploying personnel. Additionally, Russian officials stated that preparations for a prospective prisoner exchange remain underway.
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 18, 2026, 06:30 AM UTCEU warns Moscow after German drone probe as Russian strikes hit Kyiv
- Oct 18, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCEuropean Union warns Moscow following drone incidents in Germany
- Oct 17, 2026, 11:00 PM UTCRussia launches campaign against Ukraine's energy grid as drone strikes hit Kyiv
- 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