Russia Strikes Kyiv, Drones Reach Poland and Moldova

Russia launched a new wave of missile and drone strikes on Kyiv early Wednesday, wounding 20 people, including two children, five of them hospitalized. The barrage also sent drones toward western Ukraine, prompting Poland to scramble fighter jets as explosions echoed near its border, while a stray Russian drone crossed into Moldovan airspace, pushing Chisinau to summon Russia's ambassador and lodge a formal protest. Kyiv answered in kind. President Zelensky released footage of Ukrainian drones striking a Russian oil refinery and military aircraft near Rostov-on-Don. In an NHK interview, he said China has the leverage to push Russia toward peace talks but keeps declining to use it, adding that Chinese technology keeps flowing to the Russian war effort. At home, a fresh poll put his trust rating at 54%, a bump tied to recent anti-corruption dismissals. Allies kept up pressure from outside. NATO chief Mark Rutte condemned Russian sabotage, disinformation and interference against member states, the US Congress passed fresh sanctions on Russia's energy and financial sectors, and Norway pledged 90 million euros to a new fund backing Ukraine. Ukraine also repatriated the remains of 252 fallen soldiers from Russia for burial. Separately, the Verkhovna Rada passed legislation tightening parliamentary oversight of law enforcement agencies.