Sirens sound as Western European leaders, Romanian president arrive in Kyiv; in beleaguered Irpin, French president denounces 'barbarism' of Russian attacks

Mikhail Kasyanov says Russian president has built a system based on impunity and fear: 'I knew a different Putin'

State-owned media says 23 Kherson residents received passports through 'simplified procedure'; Kyiv denounces move as 'flagrant violation' of its territorial integrity

'It is obvious that Russia is determined to wear down the West' to make it increasingly amenable to a compromise, one analyst says

Andrzej Duda argues that discussions with the Russian president achieve nothing but giving him legitimacy

Russia concentrates its firepower on Severodonetsk, which Moscow now mostly controls; Zelensky says progress made in other areas of Ukraine

Russian president compares situation in Ukraine to that of Baltic territory captured by Peter the Great, which he claims was always Slavic; 'It's our responsibility to take back'

Anatoly Viktorov insists the Russian president is well enough 'to continue his important work for the country'; denies any war crimes in Ukraine

'We will draw the appropriate conclusions,' Russian leader warns after Kyiv struck in missile barrage for first time since end of April

Regional governor says Ukrainian forces still control industrial area in Severodonetsk, vows 'Russian infantry will run' when long-range artillery arrives from West