What's happened
Recent Russian missile strikes in Ukraine have resulted in over 50 casualties, marking one of the deadliest attacks in the ongoing conflict. President Zelensky has called for increased Western military support as the war intensifies, with Ukraine pushing back against Russian advances in the east.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, the recent missile strikes in Poltava were described as 'one of the deadliest attacks in the war,' with President Zelensky emphasizing the need for advanced air defense systems. The Independent highlighted Zelensky's determination to halt Russian advances, stating, 'In the Pokrovsk sector, no matter how difficult it is, there has been no (Russian) advance for two days.' This reflects Ukraine's ongoing struggle against well-equipped Russian forces, as noted by multiple sources. Furthermore, the situation in Mongolia, where Putin was not arrested despite an ICC warrant, raises significant legal and diplomatic questions, as reported by The Independent.
How we got here
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has escalated significantly over the past few weeks, with Russia increasing its missile attacks. Ukraine has been making territorial gains, but faces fierce resistance from well-equipped Russian forces.
More on these topics
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Poltava is a city located on the Vorskla River in central Ukraine. It is the capital city of the Poltava Oblast and of the surrounding Poltava Raion of the oblast.
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Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia. Its area is roughly equivalent with the historical territory of Outer Mongolia, and that term is sometimes used to refer to the current state.