Russian President Vladimir Putin said he is willing to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but only in a “final phase” of peace talks. He emphasized Moscow’s readiness for substantive negotiations while questioning Zelensky’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s representative.

It marks one of the largest returns of war dead since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago.

Kyiv. Russian drones and missiles struck Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Tuesday, June 17th, destroying an apartment building, residential structures, injuring up to 16 people, city officials said.