The US suggests it might dump talks as Russia escalates war
SkimNews Take
The explicit threat to target Western military advisors directly shifts the conflict from a proxy war to a direct confrontation with NATO personnel, raising the stakes beyond conventional military engagements.
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- Sergei Lavrov warned US and European governments to evacuate Kyiv before Russia launches systematic strikes.
- Russia is believed to be preparing Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missiles to strike the underground Kyiv headquarters housing US and European officers.
- Ukrainian General Staff claimed it destroyed a major Russian command and control center in Lugansk using British Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which rely on US targeting data.
- Marco Rubio said peace talks are at a standstill and no talks are occurring at this time.
- Donbas was hit by a Ukrainian drone strike that killed 21 students, underscoring civilian casualties amid the escalation.
Why it matters: US diplomats in Kyiv must evacuate and NATO troops risk direct clash, while a Ukrainian drone strike already killed 21 students and Russian generals warn a full Donbas capture will take almost three years, stretching military resources.
