Russian Strikes Hit Kyiv as Ukraine Targets Russian Cities

Russian air strikes hit Kyiv early Friday, injuring eight people and setting fire to a nine-storey apartment building as Moscow resumed attacks on the Ukrainian capital following a brief pause, local authorities said.

Kyiv officials reported the casualties on Telegram. Footage from the scene showed servicemen battling flames at the damaged residential building, where numerous windows had been shattered by the attack.

Russia renewed its frequent air strikes on Kyiv this week after temporarily reducing attacks during visits by U.S. President Donald Trump’s negotiators to Moscow and Kyiv. The U.S. envoys have been pursuing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which began with Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Ukraine also launched attacks inside Russia. In Saratov, a major city along the Volga River, Ukrainian drones damaged civilian infrastructure, according to regional governor Roman Busargin. No casualties were reported.

Russian e-commerce company Ozon said a Ukrainian drone strike sparked a fire at its logistics facility in Saratov. The incident comes after more than two dozen warehouses operated by Ozon and rival Wildberries were reportedly hit in recent attacks.

Saratov has frequently been targeted by Ukrainian strikes and hosts strategically important infrastructure, including a large Rosneft oil refinery as well as industrial and military facilities.

Farther south in Volgograd, authorities said a missile attack struck a residential building and injured two people. Debris from the attack also damaged an unidentified industrial facility.

Officials did not specify which industrial site was affected. However, the Volgograd oil refinery operated by Russian energy giant Lukoil, one of the country’s largest refineries by processing capacity, is located on the outskirts of the city.

Reuters said it could not independently verify the reports from either side. Russia and Ukraine have both repeatedly denied intentionally targeting civilians as cross-border drone and missile attacks continue amid the prolonged conflict.