Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky mocks Putin’s reliance on North Korea as 12 killed in Russian strikes

Key Points:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of relying on North Korean ballistic missiles in recent deadly strikes on Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Kyiv, signaling Moscow's increased dependence on foreign military support.
• Russian attacks killed 12 people across Ukraine in the last 24 hours, including six in Zaporizhzhia and six in Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk, with additional damage and injuries reported in Kyiv from missile strikes and drone attacks.
• The UN reported widespread and systematic torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian authorities, including sexual violence, with over 95% of interviewed POWs experiencing abuse; Russia denied these allegations.
• Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine remain stalled since February 2026, with both sides maintaining conflicting demands over territory and security guarantees, while international efforts to restart negotiations continue.
• Ukraine's central bank implemented its largest currency liberalisation since the 2022 invasion to boost business and investor confidence, increasing foreign currency purchase limits and cash withdrawal allowances without risking currency market stability.