• Five people were killed in recent drone and missile strikes exchanged between Russia and Ukraine.
• Ukraine's Dnipro region was significantly impacted, with three fatalities reported from Russian attacks.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky vowed retaliatory measures against military targets in Russia.

In a series of overnight strikes, Russia launched a barrage of more than 200 drones and about 30 missiles, resulting in at least five fatalities across both Ukraine and Russia. Specifically, three individuals were reported killed in the Dnipro region due to the extensive attacks, which also injured six others. The strikes damaged residential buildings and commercial infrastructure, including a shopping center, and ignited fires in the area, according to local officials and reports from the Ukrainian military TRT Global, CBS News, and BBC.

Additionally, the conflict has led to tragic consequences within Russian territory, where two fatalities were reported following a Ukrainian drone strike in Rostov. Ukrainian forces have been conducting drone attacks targeting several Russian regions, responding to Moscow's aerial onslaughts. This ongoing exchange indicates escalating hostilities, with reports indicating that both nations are trading drone and missile strikes CBS News and BBC.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that retaliatory actions would follow, stressing the need for "real consequences" for Russian military actions. He indicated in a statement posted on social media that Ukrainian drones would target military enterprises and logistics in Russia, adding, "Russian military sites and airports must see that Russia's own war is now hitting them back with real consequences" TRT Global, BBC.

The recent surge in violence follows failed peace talks held in Istanbul earlier in the week, which saw both sides unable to reach consensus on a ceasefire. Both nations have since intensified their military operations while exchanging accusations of insincerity concerning peace negotiations. Claims from Russian officials indicate territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, while Ukraine persists in its effort to repel further advances CBS News, BBC.