Explosions rock Kyiv as cross-border strikes between Russia and Ukraine escalate

A series of loud explosions hit Kyiv shortly after midnight on Wednesday following air raid warnings against incoming Russian ballistic missiles. Local authorities reported damage across several districts, with strikes in Kyiv and the surrounding region resulting in casualties and infrastructure destruction.

Concurrently, Ukrainian long-range strikes hit Russia's southern Krasnodar region. Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratiev condemned the operation, stating that it was a deliberate attack against civilians. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly accused Russian forces of conducting a "human safari" in Kherson after drone footage showed a civilian being targeted.

In Middle East developments, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that direct discussions between Washington and Tehran are currently taking place.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info.