Russia and Ukraine have stepped up their missile and drone strikes, intensifying the ongoing conflict. Over the weekend, Russia launched nearly 1,500 strikes across half of Ukraine’s regions, leaving dozens injured, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attacks, which have caused widespread damage, have particularly targeted Kharkiv, Odesa, Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, and Chernihiv regions.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military retaliated with strikes of its own, including an attack on a key oil depot south of Moscow. Ukraine also targeted regions near the Russian border, such as Bryansk and Kursk. In the latest escalation, Ukraine used long-range US-supplied Atacms missiles for the first time to strike inside Russian territory.
Kharkiv’s governor reported that a missile strike there injured at least 23 people. The attack in Odesa also resulted in 10 injuries and significant damage to residential areas, schools, and a sports hall at a university. Ukrainian officials confirmed that missiles used in these attacks included the Russian S-400 system.
On the Russian side, the use of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile on Dnipro marked a new level of escalation. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones targeted an oil depot in Kaluga, southeast of Moscow, causing explosions and a fire. Although no official Russian comment has been made, local authorities confirmed that drone debris caused damage at an industrial facility.
Russia has continued to strike Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in preparation for winter, aiming to disrupt the country’s power supply. With tensions escalating further, both sides are trying to secure strategic advantages, especially ahead of the potential political changes in the US, where President Donald Trump has vowed to end the war quickly if re-elected. However, specifics of his proposed strategy remain unclear.
This exchange of attacks reflects the growing instability in the region, with both sides engaging in new tactics as the war enters its second year.