Putin strikes Kyiv gov't building in latest war escalation – media
The main government building in Kyiv, Ukraine, was hit in a Russian strike that analysts say marks the start of a new phase of the war after Vladimir Putin’s trip to Beijing, where he had earlier met with the leaders of China and North Korea, The Times reported.
The attack set off a fire on the upper floors of the building. It was the first time a government building in Kyiv had been directly hit since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in 2022, which analysts say is symbolic of a new phase of the war.
The attack coincided with Putin concluding a summit with Chinese and North Korean leaders Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un. After returning from Beijing, Putin demonstrated increased confidence in his actions and stated that relations between Moscow and Beijing are at an "unprecedentedly high level": "Putin previously warned that "decision-making centers" in Ukraine could become targets for Russian missiles. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that sanctions do not force Russia to abandon the war. "Putin's attempts to explain the 'root causes' of the war in the international arena are bearing fruit," the article said.