Russian strikes hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure and Kyiv; day 1,696 of war

On the 1,696th day of Russia's full-scale war, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure, with explosions reported in Kyiv and strikes on energy facilities in two regions. President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the consequences of these attacks with Belgium's prime minister. Zelensky met with Belgian officials, emphasizing the need for F-16 fighter jets and ammunition to defend against Russian drones, while stressing that strengthening Ukraine's air defense remains the top priority. He also stated that frozen Russian assets must remain blocked for the duration of the war. Ukraine continues to face daily power outage schedules in several regions due to the ongoing Russian strikes on civilian and critical infrastructure. The situation on the front lines remains tense as Zelensky seeks additional support from international partners.