Putin unleashes fury on Ukraine as a warning that Russia can still unsettle the region

Russian forces launched an overnight attack on Ukrainian cities including Kyiv and Lviv, causing deaths and damage to homes and diplomatic buildings; the strike came after recent U.S. action involving a Russian-flagged tanker and amid unrest in Iran.

Russian forces carried out an overnight attack on Ukrainian cities, with Kyiv and the western Lviv region reported among those struck. Ukrainian officials said the assault involved drones and missiles and that a rarely used, nuclear-capable missile known as Oreshnik struck near Lviv. The attack came shortly after U.S. forces boarded a Russian-flagged tanker carrying Venezuelan oil and amid protests in Iran. European and Ukrainian officials framed the strike as a warning from Moscow as diplomatic and security tensions rose. Key facts: - Ukrainian officials reported strikes on multiple cities, including Kyiv and Lviv, and said there were civilian deaths and damage to apartment buildings and the Qatari Embassy. - Officials reported the use of drones and missiles, and said an Oreshnik missile struck near Lviv; Ukrainian authorities reported it carried inert or dummy warheads this time. - The attack followed U.S. action against a Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela and occurred amid unrest in Iran, developments noted as part of the broader context. - Russia has maintained hardline conditions for ending the war, and European officials described the reported use of the Oreshnik as an escalation. Summary: The strikes caused civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure and were presented by Ukrainian and European officials as a warning from Moscow. Undetermined at this time.