Russia's biggest aerial barrage since invasion kills 24 in Kyiv

At least 24 people, including three children, were killed when Russia launched its biggest aerial barrage against Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began, striking an apartment building in Kyiv with a cruise missile that demolished an entire section of the nine-story corner block. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the death toll after emergency workers finished searching through the rubble following more than a day of rescue operations. The attack, which damaged at least 180 facilities including more than 50 residential buildings, comes just days after President Vladimir Putin claimed the war was "coming to an end" and has prompted Ukraine to observe a national day of mourning. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the bombardment, stating on social media that Russia's heavy attacks demonstrate Moscow is "betting on escalation of the conflict, not negotiations." Merz affirmed that Germany continues to stand with Ukraine, noting that Kyiv and its partners remain ready for talks on a just peace while Russia continues to wage war. Meanwhile, a UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs vehicle came under fire from Russian drones during a humanitarian mission in the southern city of Kherson, according to Zelenskyy, underscoring the dangers faced by aid workers in the conflict zone. As the war reached its 1,541st day, there were signs of limited diplomatic progress amid the violence. Russia and Ukraine reportedly exchanged 205 prisoners of war each, which Zelenskyy described as the first phase of a broader swap of 1,000 for 1,000. In related developments, Finland and Latvia both experienced overnight alerts regarding potential drone incursions, prompting Finland to briefly close Helsinki airport and Latvia to scramble NATO Baltic air policing mission fighters, though no actual incursions were reported in either case.