Kyiv, Moscow trade long-range strikes as attacks kill at least 21

Russia and Ukraine traded long-range air strikes on Friday, with authorities on both sides reporting at least 21 people killed in the exchange. Russian forces struck a gathering connected to Ukraine's defence industry near Kyiv, while Ukrainian drones hit targets deep inside Russian territory.

Among the Ukrainian strikes, a drone attack sparked a fire at a warehouse belonging to a major Russian e-commerce company near Saint Petersburg, according to France 24. The strike added to a string of Ukrainian attacks reaching well beyond the front line, part of a pattern of tit-for-tat long-range strikes that has intensified in recent months.

Neither government has signalled a pause in the exchanges, and officials on both sides continue to blame the other for civilian casualties. The strikes come as diplomatic efforts to end the war continue in parallel, including a planned meeting between Ukrainian and American leaders in Washington.