Ukraine Strikes Back, Putin in Beijing, West Backs Kyiv

This week’s developments:

• Deadly Strikes in Kyiv: 25 civilians killed, including 4 children, after Russian missiles and drones hit the capital.
• Drone Commander Banned: Hungary blocks Ukraine’s top drone commander after another strike on the Druzhba oil pipeline.
• Political Assassination in Lviv: Former parliament speaker and Maidan leader Andriy Parubiy gunned down.
• ‘Flamingo’ Missiles in Crimea: Ukraine’s new long-range cruise missile devastates an FSB base.
• US Policy Shift?: Washington approves $850M missile deal, signaling potential change in restrictions.
• Mourning in Kyiv: Hundreds gather at the funeral of a toddler and her mother killed in Russian strikes.
• Yanukovych Returns to Russian TV with attacks on NATO and the EU.
• Putin Meets Xi: Moscow–Beijing ties reach an “unprecedented level,” with Kim Jong-un joining the show of unity.
• Corruption Scandals deepen rifts between Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies and the SBU.
• Russia Demands Recognition of Occupied Territories as a condition for peace.
• 26-Nation Coalition backs new security guarantees for Ukraine.
• Chernihiv Demining Team Hit: Russian missile kills 2, wounds 8 workers clearing landmines.
• Kremlin Rejects Western Security Guarantees after coalition pledge.