Russia, Ukraine trade airstrikes as reconstruction and security talks resume in Brussels

Russia and Ukraine exchanged airstrikes overnight as discussions resumed in Brussels to address post-war reconstruction and security assurances following Moscow's full-scale invasion nearly five years ago. The scale of the reconstruction challenge was highlighted by a recent Russian aerial assault and ongoing search efforts for individuals missing due to a deadly strike in southern Ukraine on Monday.

In response, Ukraine deployed hundreds of drones against Russian targets. The Russian defense ministry claimed to have destroyed approximately 500 Ukrainian drones during the night. Rescue teams continued their search for over 30 people potentially trapped in the ruins of a former school and adjacent shelter, which was struck by Russian guided bombs in Komyshuvakha, near the front line in the Zaporizhzhia region.

This attack, occurring as residents awaited humanitarian aid, was one of the most lethal strikes in the ongoing war. According to Ukraine's national police force, 42 bodies had been recovered thus far.