Civilian Casualties in Ukraine Rise Sharply, Russia Warns Against Multinational Force Deployment

A new report by the OSCE/ODIHR indicates a 45% increase in verified civilian casualties in government-controlled Ukraine between December 2025 and May 2026, primarily due to Russian long-range missile and drone strikes. Thousands in Russian-occupied Kherson region face severe humanitarian conditions, lacking essential services. Meanwhile, Russia has declared that any multinational force deployed by Ukraine's allies following a peace deal would be considered a legitimate military target, escalating diplomatic and security tensions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Kyiv, reaffirming EU support.