"Putin Escalates Offensive with Missile Strikes on Ukraine's Major Cities and Retaliatory Attacks"

Russian officials claim to have intercepted a Ukrainian missile attack on the city of Belgorod, where previous strikes resulted in 25 deaths. Ukraine has not confirmed involvement. This follows Russia's extensive aerial bombardment on Ukraine, which President Zelensky reports involved 300 missiles and 200 drones over five days. Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv and Kyiv, suffered casualties and damage from the attacks. Meanwhile, in Russian-occupied Crimea, a missile was shot down over Sevastopol without causing casualties or damage. The Ukrainian ambassador to the US emphasized the need for more weapons to counter the attacks and urged Russia to cease hostilities. Russian President Putin has promised to intensify strikes following the attacks on Belgorod.