Russia has escalated its military campaign against Ukraine with a sweeping overnight assault on 14 regions, including the capital Kyiv and the southern Zaporizhzhia region. Ukrainian authorities reported one fatality and 30 injuries, including children, as a result of the attacks. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, urging for more stringent international sanctions on Moscow.

The Ukrainian air force claimed to have intercepted the majority of the 540 drones and 45 missiles launched by Russia. However, significant damage was reported in Dnipropetrovsk, where infrastructure was targeted, and in Zaporizhzhia, where a residential building was hit, leaving 25,000 residents without power.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's military struck back by targeting Russian oil refineries in Krasnodar and Syzran, causing multiple explosions and fires. These facilities are crucial to Russia's petroleum production, and their targeting marks a strategic move by Ukraine to disrupt Russian resources.

International Response and Peace Efforts

The international community, led by the United States and the European Union, has intensified calls for peace negotiations. The US has warned Russia of potential sanctions if it does not engage in talks with Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has urged member states to propose new sanctions, reflecting the bloc's frustration with Russia's continued aggression.

Putin's Strategic Visit to China

In a parallel development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Analysts suggest that discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping could shape the future of the Ukraine conflict. China has emerged as a key economic partner for Russia, and their bilateral trade has surged since the onset of the war.