"Deadly Russian Strikes Hit Ukraine"

Russian strikes killed 26 people, including five children, in Ukraine, and preparations for a counter-offensive against Moscow's forces were nearly complete. Russian missiles also hit the central city of Dnipro and the southern region of Kherson. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the latest barrage and vowed a response. Moscow said it had targeted reserve units of the Ukrainian military, and there were no reported casualties in Kyiv, which was among the cities targeted Friday. The country's air defence system has been bolstered by the delivery of Western equipment. NATO allies and partners have provided Ukraine with 1,550 armoured vehicles and 230 tanks to help it retake territory from Russian forces.