Russian Missile Strike on Kyiv Apartment Building Kills 24, Including Three Children

A Russian missile strike on a nine-story apartment building in Kyiv has resulted in 24 fatalities, including three children, and injured 48 others, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attack, which occurred on Thursday, is among the deadliest on the Ukrainian capital since the full-scale invasion began over four years ago. Emergency workers concluded their search through the building's rubble after more than a day. The assault was part of Russia's largest aerial barrage in recent times, targeting multiple locations across Ukraine and causing widespread destruction. President Zelenskyy visited the site to mourn the victims and urged international partners to address Russia's evasion of global sanctions, noting that the missile used was built this year with imported components. In response, Ukraine reportedly conducted a significant drone strike on the Russian city of Ryazan, resulting in four deaths and igniting a fire at a local oil refinery. Additionally, Russia and Ukraine exchanged 205 prisoners of war, marking the beginning of a larger planned exchange. The tragedy in Kyiv follows a short-lived ceasefire attempt and occurs amid conflicting claims about progress toward ending the ongoing conflict.