Russian strikes hit Kyiv as Moscow rejects conflict freeze

Russian forces launched early-morning air strikes on Kyiv, igniting fires across three city districts and damaging local infrastructure, according to Ukrainian emergency services. The bombardment followed warnings from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that intelligence indicated Moscow was preparing a large-scale missile attack.

Simultaneously, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that freezing the war remains impossible without key political decisions from Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin also alleged that Western nations disrupted post-World War II global stability through NATO expansion, asserting Ukraine will ultimately lose its western lands.

Separately, International Criminal Court member states voted to dismiss Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan after an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct involving a colleague, marking an unprecedented removal in the tribunal's history.

Sources: N1, Tanjug