Russian forces strike Kyiv as Kremlin rules out freezing Ukraine conflict

Russian forces carried out early-morning air strikes against Kyiv, triggering fires across three municipal districts, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service. Emergency workers reported severe fire damage to a commercial warehouse, vehicles, and a vacant building following the bombardment, which occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow was preparing a fresh missile barrage.

Concurrently, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that a ceasefire or frozen conflict remains impossible under current conditions, placing responsibility on Ukrainian leadership.

In global affairs, US President Donald Trump instructed the Pentagon to hold back on further military actions against Iran to facilitate diplomatic negotiations. Separately, member nations of the International Criminal Court voted by a wide margin to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from office following allegations of personal misconduct.

Sources: N1, Tanjug