Zelenskyy: Putin ordered Russian army to abandon rules of war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered military officials to abandon the rules of war, leading to a sharp increase in attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine. Zelenskyy told the Financial Times that Ukrainian intelligence obtained this information, stating Putin issued the order in September as Russia escalated attacks on Kyiv. Schools, hospitals, and data centers have become targets, with Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko describing the capital's situation as "very dramatic." Russia is reportedly preparing intensified attacks on other major cities including Kharkiv and Odesa to isolate them during winter. Ukrainian officials also claim Moscow plans to target nuclear facilities, while Russia demands recognition of its annexations and control of the entire Donbas region as conditions for any ceasefire.