**Russia and Ukraine Exchange Strikes Amid Rising Tensions and Escalations**

Russia and Ukraine have engaged in a series of air strikes, marking a significant escalation in their ongoing conflict. This development follows a week of intensifying hostilities, including Russia's test of a new missile on Ukrainian soil. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported nearly 1,500 Russian strikes affecting half of Ukraine's regions since Sunday evening, resulting in numerous injuries.

In a retaliatory move, Ukraine's military targeted a key oil depot south of Moscow, alongside targets in the Bryansk and Kursk border regions. Notably, the Russian use of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile on Dnipro represents a notable escalation. Concurrently, Ukraine reportedly used US and British missiles to strike inside Russia for the first time. This came after US President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to utilize longer-range Atacms missiles, reacting to Russia's employment of North Korean troops.

The conflict saw significant damage and injuries within Ukraine. In Kharkiv, Governor Oleh Synehubov reported that a missile strike injured 23 people, with a rescue operation currently underway. The attack employed an S-400 missile. Furthermore, in Odesa, a missile attack injured ten people and damaged residential buildings, schools, and a university sports hall. Additional strikes in the Kherson region injured three people, with one person each injured in the Zaporizhzhya and Chernihiv regions.

Ukraine's military reported striking the Kaluganefteprodukt oil depot in the Kaluga region with drones, leading to a significant fire at the site. The Russian military has not commented on the incident; however, regional governor Vladislav Shapsha confirmed that debris from drones shot down by air defenses caused the blaze, with eight drones reportedly destroyed. Additionally, attacks were noted in the Bryansk and Kursk regions, with Russian bloggers indicating that the Khalino air base was hit by eight US-supplied Atacms missiles.

Footage on social media appeared to show Ukrainian missiles intercepted above the Kursk region, with BBC Verify confirming the video's location while unable to determine the missiles' origin definitively. US permission for using Atacms missiles is reportedly limited to regions with North Korean troop presence, as part of the Russian offensive to reclaim areas in Kursk captured by Ukraine in autumn.

Russia's defense ministry confirmed the downing of eight Ukrainian ballistic missiles but did not specify the locations. Meanwhile, Russian forces continue targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, aiming to create challenging conditions as winter approaches. This comes as both nations scramble to secure a strategic advantage before Donald Trump's anticipated presidency in January, which may influence efforts to resolve the conflict.

In related developments, NATO is being cautioned about potential Russian attacks on British businesses and power grids, and the Ukrainian President has called for a firm response to Russia's recent missile actions. Volunteers across Ukraine are also preparing Christmas gifts for the third year to support affected communities amidst the ongoing conflict.