• Ukrainian drones sparked a major fire at an oil depot in Sochi, Russia.
• Over 120 firefighters were deployed to extinguish the blaze caused by drone debris.
• The attack temporarily halted flights at Sochi's airport.
• Russian authorities reported multiple casualties in recent reciprocal strikes.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky announced a pact for a prisoner exchange amidst ongoing hostilities.

An overnight Ukrainian drone attack set fire to an oil depot in Sochi, a resort city approximately 400 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, according to reports from regional authorities. The attack, characterized as a direct strike on critical infrastructure, aligns with Ukraine's strategy of targeting Russian oil and gas facilities in retaliation for ongoing assaults on its territory since the onset of the conflict in February 2022, stated the governor of the Krasnodar region, Veniamin Kondratyev Al Jazeera, Reuters, and Dawn.

In response to the attack, more than 120 firefighters were mobilized to combat the fire, which was reported to have been triggered when drone debris struck an oil tank. Images published by Russian media depicted thick plumes of smoke resulting from the blaze. Moreover, air traffic at Sochi's airport was momentarily suspended before operations resumed, as noted by Rosaviatsiya, Russia's civil aviation authority Reuters, Channel News Asia, and Le Monde.

Furthermore, reports indicated that Ukrainian drone strikes have also caused injuries in the Voronezh region, with local authorities confirming four casualties from another drone attack. This attack coincides with a sequence of reciprocal strikes as both nations escalate their military actions, further raising concerns about civilian safety amidst ongoing conflict India Times, Los Angeles Times, and TRT Global.

In a separate context involving ongoing negotiations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a prisoner exchange agreement with Russia involving 1,200 individuals. This move reflects an attempt to facilitate a resolution amid escalating tensions and reciprocal military actions that have recently escalated significantly. While these developments unfold, both sides are experiencing increased casualties from strikes targeting civilian and military infrastructures Al Jazeera, Los Angeles Times, and Reuters.