Cross‑border strikes kill civilians in Russia and Ukraine

By Nathan Morley

Six people were killed and four injured in Ukrainian missile strikes on Russia’s Belgorod region overnight.

​Ukrainian authorities reported two deaths in Russian drone attacks on the Sumy region, near the border.

The exchanges followed what Russian officials called Ukraine’s largest drone assault of the year. At least seven people were killed late Saturday as Russia said Ukraine launched more than 800 drones toward its territory, including about 600 aimed at Moscow.

​Russian strikes across Ukraine that same night killed at least seven people and wounded more than 39, according to Ukrainian officials. 

​Russia’s full‑scale invasion began in February 2022; Moscow currently holds roughly one‑fifth of Ukraine.

​Elsewhere, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Jared Kushner arrived for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem after holding rare discussions with Hamas on the U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan.​

President Trump’s Board of Peace said last month it had secured agreement for the “complete disarmament” of Hamas and other armed groups. Israel rejected the 15‑point proposal last week.

Eight nations — Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia — said Sunday that Israel’s rejection threatens Trump’s diplomatic push.

A cease-fire that began back in October remains formally in place, though Israeli strikes continue almost daily. 

More than 1,200 people have been killed since then, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. UNICEF reports at least 300 children among the dead. 

The U.N. estimates 1.9 million people — about 90% of Gaza’s population — have been displaced.​

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In Lebanon, UNIFIL said its peacekeepers remain essential in the south. 

Spokesperson Kandice Ardiel said the mission continues supporting implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and efforts to strengthen the Lebanese army’s presence.