Russia's missile strikes kill 12, injure 90 in Kyiv

Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens, in what Ukrainian officials described as the deadliest strike on the capital in nearly a year. Moscow claimed the attacks targeted military infrastructure, but Ukrainian authorities accused Russia of deliberately bombing civilians and called for increased international support for air defenses. The assault prompted a rare public rebuke from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who directly urged Vladimir Putin to stop the violence, calling the strikes 'not necessary' and 'very badly timed.' However, analysts and commentators noted that while Trump criticized Putin, he has mainly pressured Ukrainian leaders to cede territory for peace, prompting accusations of bias in U.S. mediation efforts. Ukrainian leaders and foreign policy experts argue that Russia's continued aggression demonstrates a lack of interest in peace and warn against concessions or weakness, calling instead for stronger international pressure on Moscow. The attack has intensified debate over the best path to ending the conflict and the role of U.S. and European support for Ukraine.