What's happened
Recent Russian missile strikes in Ukraine have resulted in over 50 deaths, marking one of the deadliest attacks in the ongoing conflict. President Zelensky has called for increased Western military support as the war intensifies, with Russia ramping up its assaults amid Ukraine's counteroffensive efforts.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, the recent missile strikes in Poltava resulted in over 50 fatalities, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. President Zelensky has reiterated his calls for advanced air defense systems, stating, 'We need at least seven Patriot missile-defense batteries.' Meanwhile, The Independent highlights the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces against 'the most combat-focused Russian brigades,' indicating a tough battle ahead. The situation is further complicated by Putin's visit to Mongolia, which has drawn criticism for failing to arrest him despite an ICC warrant, as noted by The Independent.
How we got here
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has escalated since Russia's full-scale invasion began 30 months ago. Recent weeks have seen a surge in Russian missile attacks, coinciding with Ukraine's military operations in Russian territory, leading to increased casualties and destruction.
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.