"Ukraine Warns of Escalation After Putin's Buffer Zone Comment"

A senior Ukrainian official sees Russian President Vladimir Putin's suggestion of creating a buffer zone within Ukrainian territory as a clear sign of escalating the war in Ukraine, while residents of Kharkiv express defiance despite the threat. Putin's proposal, made after winning re-election, aims to protect Russia from Ukrainian attacks and comes amid ongoing bombardment of Kharkiv by Russian forces. Ukraine's response includes long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and cross-border attacks into western Russia, as tensions between the two countries continue to rise.