Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his army to take full control of the Zaporizhzhia region of southern Ukraine, after a Russian commander said his forces were less than 10 miles from its capital city. Putin’s order came as the Kremlin accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on one of Putin’s presidential residences. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the claim, calling it “a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine.”

Meanwhile, many residents of Kyiv remain deeply skeptical that President Trump’s discussions with Putin, Zelensky and European powers would bring Russia’s war on Ukraine any closer to an end.

Natalia Fomina: “We see our enemy. We know that talks don’t stop him. Only real strength can stop him. Our soldiers now provide this strength. So it is unlikely that these talks will stop the war.”