"Escalating Conflict: Russia Vows Retaliation as Cross-Border Strikes Intensify Amidst Rising Casualties"
Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to intensify military strikes on Ukraine in response to an attack on the Russian city of Belgorod, which resulted in civilian casualties. The escalation follows a series of air assaults by Russia on Ukrainian cities. Putin condemned the Belgorod attack as a "terrorist attack" and maintained that Russia targets military rather than civilian sites. He also suggested that Ukraine is being manipulated by Western powers against Russia and expressed confidence in the strategic advantage held by Russian forces.