Russia Strikes Kyiv Despite Talks; Ukraine Warns Against Appeasement

Russian forces have significantly escalated missile and drone strikes on Kyiv, resulting in at least 7 confirmed fatalities and numerous injuries, concurrently with and immediately following diplomatic signals and meetings. These attacks, including the use of ballistic and potentially cluster-tipped Iskander missiles, contradict Russian rhetoric regarding peace talks and underscore a deliberate strategy to maintain military pressure despite international engagement. The scale of Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow also appears to have increased, indicating a reciprocal escalation.