Russia targets Ukrainian cities to force residents to flee

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia plans to intensify strikes on civilian infrastructure in major Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Lviv, aiming to force residents to flee. Citing Ukrainian intelligence, Zelensky said Putin ordered the military to lift restrictions on targeting civilian objects, with daily strikes on Kyiv now occurring. He called for more air defense systems from partners, noting half of delivered F-16s are currently out of service. The Financial Times confirmed the strike plans, reporting Moscow also targets cutting Ukrainian nuclear plants from the grid and water supplies to create refugee flows into the EU. Putin rejected a partial truce and vowed to continue the campaign.