Ukrainian drones targeted multiple Russian oil refineries on Saturday, August 8, 2026, causing fires at the Ilsky refinery in Krasnodar region and the Syzran facility. The attack on Ilsky injured five people before the fire was extinguished, while Russia and Ukraine exchanged overnight strikes including a missile barrage on Kyiv.
Turkey has begun restricting commercial ship traffic in the Black Sea and called on Russia and Ukraine to impose a moratorium on attacks against vessels in the region, following a surge in drone strikes on civilian cargo ships, including Turkish-linked vessels, in early August 2026.
Four people, including a three-year-old child, were killed in overnight Russian attacks on Kyiv and the surrounding region on August 8, 2026, as Ukrainian air defense systems failed to intercept all incoming missiles and drones. Ukraine responded by striking another oil refinery inside Russia.
U.S. supplies of Patriot air defense missiles and other munitions have reached dangerously low levels after five months of war with Iran and continued support for Ukraine against Russia. Despite White House denials, officials confirm interceptor stockpiles are 'extremely low,' raising concerns about America's defense capabilities.
The Senate overwhelmingly approved sweeping Russian sanctions legislation Friday that would allow President Trump to impose 100% tariffs on the world's top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China. The bill, championed by Sen. Lindsey Graham before his unexpected death in July, now heads to the House of Representatives.
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil facilities and Black Sea shipping routes reduced Caspian Pipeline Consortium oil loadings by one-fifth in July, disrupting Kazakhstan's exports and adding strain to global commodity markets already facing Middle East tensions.
Ukrainian drones struck at least three Wildberries logistics facilities across Russia, including a warehouse in Yekaterinburg over 2,000 kilometers from the border, while Russian forces killed at least 17 people in a ballistic missile attack on a Kyiv warehouse.
Russia's Federal Security Service raided nine unregistered cryptocurrency exchange offices in Moscow City, detaining more than 20 people accused of laundering money stolen from Russian scam victims and transferring proceeds to Ukraine-based operations.
Days after being dismissed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's former ambassador to the United States Olha Stefanishyna has been formally notified she is a suspect in an anti-corruption investigation for alleged illegal enrichment exceeding $300,000 (13.9 million UAH).
Ukrainian forces hit two oil refineries deep inside Russian territory in overnight attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday, continuing a 40-day campaign targeting Russia's energy infrastructure and wartime economy. The strikes hit facilities including the Slavneft-Yanos refinery, located thousands of kilometers from the border.
The United States is pressing ahead with negotiations to allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles domestically, even after President Donald Trump publicly cast doubt on the deal. Ukrainian officials reveal they have been seeking production licenses for two years amid urgent defense needs against Russian attacks.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband held his first meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, where discussions focused on Ukraine, European security responsibilities, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Miliband faced questions about his past criticisms of President Trump, which he declined to address directly.
Vladimir Tkachuk, head of Russian drone manufacturer Uraldronzavod, was critically wounded and his driver killed when an explosive device detonated beneath their vehicle near Yekaterinburg. The attack appears to be the latest in a series of targeted strikes against Russian defense industry figures linked to the war in Ukraine.
At least 17 people were killed and 44 wounded in overnight Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and surrounding areas, with Ukrainian air defenses unable to shoot down any of the more than two dozen ballistic and anti-ship missiles due to depleted Patriot interceptor supplies. President Zelenskyy blamed allies for delayed air defense deliveries as strikes hit civilian targets including a brewery, warehouse, and postal facility.
Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine's former commander-in-chief now serving as ambassador to the UK, stated that Ukraine has no chance of joining NATO, citing the country's inability to meet the alliance's military standards. The remarks represent a stark departure from Ukraine's constitutional aspiration for NATO membership.
Two Turkish-owned roll-on/roll-off cargo vessels were struck by drone attacks near Russia's Novorossiysk port in the Black Sea, leaving three crew members seriously injured. Turkey has called on both Russia and Ukraine to ensure safe navigation for commercial shipping in the region.
Russian forces dropped eight powerful glide bombs on residential districts of Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine over a 90-minute period, killing at least one person and wounding dozens of others, according to regional officials.
Ukrainian forces conducted extensive drone strikes across Russia and occupied Crimea in early August 2026, targeting commercial logistics hubs including multiple Wildberries retail facilities, a university allegedly involved in drone development in Belgorod, oil refineries, and military airfields. The attacks resulted in at least 14-22 deaths and significant infrastructure damage.
Ukraine conducted a series of drone strikes on Russian territory in early August 2026, killing at least five people and repeatedly targeting warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, in regions including Tver, Vladimir, and Samara. The attacks represent an escalation in Ukraine's cross-border drone campaign against Russian infrastructure.
Russia launched an intense barrage of ballistic missiles and drones on Kyiv overnight Saturday, killing at least nine people and injuring 28 others, with fires and destruction reported across five districts of the Ukrainian capital. The attack marks the second such intense strike on Kyiv in a week.
Russia's government will prohibit cryptocurrency mining in Moscow, Moscow Oblast, and parts of Kursk Oblast starting August 15, 2026, with the ban extending through December 31, 2032. The restrictions cite energy concerns and wartime power shortages as justification.
The European Union has provided €3.47 billion ($4 billion) to Ukraine for procurement of military equipment including drones, missiles, air defence systems, and Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets, according to the European Commission.
Ukrainian drone attacks on tankers and port infrastructure at Russia's Novorossiysk and Taman facilities have forced the third shutdown this month of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal, Kazakhstan's primary oil export gateway. The strikes have disrupted both oil and grain shipments from Russian Black Sea ports.
Ukrainian forces hit two of Russia's largest oil refineries in overnight long-range strikes on Wednesday, just hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump in Washington. The attacks are part of Ukraine's sustained campaign targeting Russian energy infrastructure that has contributed to fuel shortages across Russia.
Ukraine's newly appointed acting defense minister stated that the country must employ asymmetric tactics and careful resource management rather than direct confrontation when fighting Russia militarily.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia is preparing to mobilize an additional 30,000 North Korean troops and expand domestic conscription as battlefield losses outpace recruitment. Intelligence reports suggest Russia is laying groundwork for a major mobilization wave.
Three grain industry sources told Reuters that Russia had introduced a temporary ban on vessel movements in and out of Novorossiysk between midnight and 5 a.m. because of Ukrainian drone attacks. The measure follows earlier traffic restrictions in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait and a July 21 government order banning vessels from anchoring in areas without air defences at the ports of Azov and Kavkaz.
Ukrainian long-range drone strikes hit Wildberries warehouses in Krasnodar, Nevinnomyssk, Elektrostal, and Kotovsk between July 18–22, 2026, killing eight workers and injuring dozens. The coordinated campaign disrupted Russia's largest e-commerce retailer and raised concerns about supply chain stability and consumer inflation.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui held high-level meetings in Moscow, including talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a third strategic dialogue with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. North Korean state media KCNA said the two sides reached consensus on all issues discussed and agreed to accelerate bilateral cooperation across multiple fields.
A Ukrainian drone attack on July 14, 2026, forced the shutdown of the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat petrochemical complex in Bashkortostan, which handles approximately 2.7% of Russia's oil refining capacity. Two main refining units were damaged, with repairs potentially taking weeks or months.
Ukraine and nine other countries including the UK, Germany, and France announced the formation of a coalition to develop shared anti-ballistic missile defense capabilities for Europe, leveraging Ukraine's combat experience against Russian attacks. The initiative marks a shift away from reliance on US defense systems.
Russian forces killed at least five people, including a teenager, in aerial bomb strikes on Ukrainian cities including Kramatorsk and Zaporizhzhia, while Ukrainian forces continued targeting Russian oil tankers and infrastructure.
Russian authorities in Siberian regions including Novosibirsk and Tomsk are asking residents to work from home and limit vehicle use amid a worsening nationwide fuel crisis. Citizens are converting cars to LPG as gasoline shortages, price increases, and long queues at filling stations spread across the country.
Russia has imposed a full ban on diesel exports following systematic Ukrainian drone attacks on its oil refineries that caused widespread domestic fuel shortages and price spikes. The move comes as global energy markets face additional strain from disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump announced he would allow Ukraine to produce Patriot air-defense interceptors under U.S. license, a potential diplomatic breakthrough for Kyiv. However, defense experts and Ukrainian officials caution the complex process could take years to implement and won't address Ukraine's immediate air defense needs against Russian attacks.
Ukrainian forces have attacked 19 tankers from Russia's 'shadow fleet' over three days, targeting vessels delivering fuel to Russian-occupied Crimea in the Sea of Azov. The strikes represent an intensified effort by Kyiv to isolate the peninsula.
Russia is experiencing widespread fuel shortages leading to extensive queues at petrol stations, rising prices, and growing public frustration. The crisis, linked to Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries and the ongoing war's economic toll, has forced Putin to publicly acknowledge the problem in a rare admission of domestic difficulty.
President Donald Trump is attending the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, this week to enforce defense spending pledges secured last year, while also meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to push for an end to the Ukraine war. Trump has criticized the alliance as 'one-sided' and suggested the U.S. relationship with NATO is 'not reciprocal,' even as he shifts focus from financial contributions to demanding loyalty from allies.
Russia conducted an 18-month drone surveillance campaign targeting nuclear facilities in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, while simultaneously stepping up jet-powered drone attacks against Ukraine. The escalation comes as Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries have created fuel shortages across Russia.
Months of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries have created a severe fuel shortage, forcing the Kremlin to take the rare step of importing gasoline while long lines form at gas stations across the country. The crisis has compelled Russia to tap into fuel reserves as refinery capacity remains crippled.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing increased scrutiny as Ukraine launches deeper drone attacks into Russian territory, with prediction markets showing rising odds of his departure from power and reports suggesting he has retreated from public view amid mounting challenges including the strategic liability of Crimea.
Poland has placed an order for three Swedish submarines as part of its naval modernization efforts. The NATO member is bolstering its defense capabilities in response to Russian aggression at its borders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly admitted that Ukrainian long-range strikes are causing fuel supply problems across Russia, with the Siberian region of Irkutsk implementing a 50-litre limit at state-run gas stations. Videos show fights breaking out at Russian fuel stations amid the shortages.
Ukraine has launched major drone attacks on Russian targets including a Moscow satellite communications center, killing civilians, while weeks of strikes on refineries have created a severe fuel shortage forcing Russia to import gasoline and implement rationing in Siberia. The escalation comes as Putin indicates willingness to host U.S. negotiators.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly admitted to fuel shortages and operational problems in the ongoing Ukraine invasion, while vowing to continue efforts to capture four Ukrainian regions. The acknowledgment comes as Ukraine escalates attacks on Russian oil refineries and weapons facilities, causing significant disruption.
Ukraine conducted long-range drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, igniting a major facility in southern Russia and killing at least two people. President Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged Russia is experiencing a difficult period as Ukraine intensifies strikes on energy infrastructure up to 1,200 miles inside Russian territory.
Ukrainian forces have escalated long-range drone attacks on Russian territory, striking oil refineries up to 1,200 miles inside Russia, prompting emergency declarations in occupied Crimea and vows from President Putin to ensure security amid the four-year conflict.
Moscow-installed authorities in Crimea declared a state of emergency on Friday after weeks of Ukrainian aerial attacks caused widespread power outages, fuel shortages, and damage to the peninsula's energy infrastructure. The declaration marks an escalation in Ukraine's campaign to target the Black Sea peninsula that Russia illegally annexed in 2014.
French naval forces intercepted and seized a Russia-linked oil tanker named Deliver off the coast of Sicily on Tuesday, according to President Emmanuel Macron. The seizure is part of escalating European efforts to enforce sanctions and disrupt Russia's shadow fleet operations that help circumvent oil export restrictions.
Ukraine launched extensive drone strikes targeting Russian energy infrastructure and military facilities deep inside Russia and Crimea, including a major natural gas plant and satellite communications centers. The attacks prompted Russia to relocate significant air defense assets to protect Moscow and other key sites.
Russian officials expressed readiness for peace negotiations with Ukraine while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov questioned whether President Trump has shifted his stance on the war following suggestions by French President Emmanuel Macron at the G7 summit. The Kremlin indicated it expects to resume contacts with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner over Ukraine.
Ukrainian long-range attacks on Russian oil refineries, natural gas plants, and satellite communications centers have caused widespread fuel shortages and power blackouts across Russian-occupied Crimea and other regions, with fuel sales suspended to the public in the annexed peninsula.
Ukrainian forces launched extensive drone attacks on Russian-occupied Crimea, causing widespread power outages in Sevastopol and other cities. The strikes targeted energy infrastructure, railway bridges, and power plants as part of Ukraine's intensifying campaign to isolate the annexed peninsula.
Hungary has delayed a key procedural step in the EU membership applications of Ukraine and Moldova, while EU officials are considering separating the two countries' accession processes that have been informally linked since the beginning.
Russia is pushing Belarus to take a more active role in the Ukraine conflict, while the Kremlin accuses Kyiv of threatening Belarusian sovereignty after Ukraine demanded removal of signal relay stations used to guide Russian attacks. The developments come as Putin claims readiness for peace talks following Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Ukraine has escalated attacks on Russian-occupied Crimea, causing fuel shortages for civilians, power outages, and forcing authorities to cancel the tourism season as part of a strategy to cut off the peninsula from mainland Russia and increase the cost of occupation.
Russian-occupied Crimea suspended civilian gasoline sales and restricted public services following intensified Ukrainian attacks on oil facilities, while Russia weighs a diesel export ban to address domestic fuel shortages. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed the government is considering export restrictions as refineries face continued strikes.
Austria's current chancellor called for Europe to engage in dialogue with Putin, while former chancellor Sebastian Kurz's AI and cyberdefense company Dream raised $260 million in a funding round that valued the firm at $3 billion.
President Trump is planning to ask US defense companies to produce weapons under license in Europe and Ukraine, with G7 allies agreeing to allow Ukraine-based companies to build long-range missiles and air defense systems. The move comes as Trump invokes the Defense Production Act to boost weapons manufacturing amid intensifying concerns over the Iran conflict.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled fresh energy sanctions on Russia and a £210 million deal to support Ukraine's nuclear plants for two years at the G7 summit in France. The announcement came as the BBC reported that arson attacks targeting Starmer last year have been linked to Russia.
A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber aircraft crashed on Monday in Siberia's Irkutsk region during a training exercise, according to Russia's Defence Ministry. All four crew members successfully ejected from the Soviet-era supersonic bomber.
A massive Russian aerial attack on Kyiv sparked a fire that severely damaged the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Ukraine's most important religious and cultural landmarks. The strike killed at least 10 people and marked the heaviest Russian attack on the capital in two weeks.
A large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Ukrainian cities killed at least 11 people and severely damaged the Dormition Cathedral at the Pechersk Lavra monastery complex in Kyiv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Eastern Orthodox Christianity's most sacred landmarks. The attacks came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with leaders of both countries about ending the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated the central bank may cut interest rates at next week's meeting, while praising absent central bank chief Elvira Nabiullina. The announcement comes as Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine reaches 1,569 days, now exceeding the length of World War I.
The European Commission announced plans to ban current and former Russian soldiers from entering EU territory as part of its next sanctions package, which also targets Russian banks, cryptocurrency firms, and oil revenues. The proposal has sparked debate about why the measure is limited to military personnel rather than all Russian citizens.
A French Rafale fighter jet operating under NATO command shot down a drone that entered Latvian airspace from Russia on Monday. Latvian military officials attributed the incursion to Russian electronic warfare, marking the latest security incident along NATO's eastern border amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Germany, France, and the UK have backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call for direct ceasefire talks with Russia, with European leaders signaling readiness to take a leading role in negotiations with Vladimir Putin in coordination with the United States.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that he met with Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in Kyiv, where he asked the former Chelsea FC owner to convey messages to the Kremlin regarding prospects for direct peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's open letter request for direct talks on the four-year conflict, saying he sees no point in such a meeting. Ukrainian officials indicated the letter was aimed at a broader audience including Putin's inner circle and the Russian public.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for face-to-face peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a rare public letter on Thursday, proposing a full ceasefire and negotiations in a neutral country. The Kremlin responded by saying Zelenskyy could meet Putin in Moscow "any time."
Military analysts report Russia is escalating air strikes on Ukrainian cities in response to battlefield setbacks, while Ukraine's long-range drone campaign increasingly targets Russian oil infrastructure and pressures the Kremlin.
Ukrainian drones attacked an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, setting it ablaze during the city's annual economic forum promoted by President Putin. In response, Putin announced Russia will bolster its air defenses to counter the escalating Ukrainian drone attacks that have reached deep inside Russian territory.
A Ukrainian drone strike killed 8 people on a bus in Russian-controlled Donetsk, while a separate Russian missile and drone barrage killed at least 22 in Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in attacks by both sides.
Russia launched a massive overnight assault on Ukrainian cities using more than 70 missiles and 650 attack drones, killing at least 22 people and wounding dozens. The Kremlin accused Kyiv of 'acts of terror' in response to the strikes.
The Russian government announced a ban on jet fuel exports lasting until November 30, 2026, citing ongoing Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries that have caused domestic production declines and fuel shortages. The ban triggered declines in Indian aviation stocks, with SpiceJet and IndiGo shares falling up to 2.5%.
French naval forces boarded and detained the Tagor, a Russian oil tanker circumventing international sanctions, in the Atlantic Ocean. President Macron announced the operation as part of enforcement efforts against sanction violations.
A Russian drone crashed into a 10-story apartment block in eastern Romania near the Ukrainian border during an overnight attack on Ukraine, injuring two people and forcing the evacuation of approximately 70 residents. The incident has heightened tensions on NATO's eastern flank.
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of attacking a vocational school in Russian-occupied Luhansk, killing at least six people with reports of up to 18 children trapped in rubble. Russia has requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting while Ukraine claims it struck a drone command unit.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting NATO allies in Sweden and India as the Trump administration's abrupt policy decisions create uncertainty over U.S. support for Ukraine and strain relations with key partners. The visits come as European allies face pressure to assume greater defense responsibilities.
Britain has postponed implementing sanctions that would ban imports of diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian crude oil in third countries, citing supply issues and rising fuel prices caused by the Iran war. The ban was originally announced in October.
Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Moscow to date, with Russia reporting over 550 drones intercepted. At least five people were killed, including three in the Moscow region and others in Belgorod, marking an escalation in Ukraine's ability to strike deep inside Russian territory.
Russia's parliament has passed legislation that would allow President Putin to authorize military operations in foreign countries, raising concerns among NATO allies about potential testing of the alliance's commitment to collective defense.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the test launch of the new Sarmat strategic nuclear missile, describing it as 'the most powerful in the world.' State TV broadcast footage of the test conducted by Strategic Missile Forces commander Sergei Karakayev.
Greek authorities found a Ukrainian attack sea drone carrying explosives in a cave on a tourist island and conducted a controlled blast to render it safe. Greece called the incident 'extremely serious' and lodged a formal protest, expressing concerns that Ukraine's campaign against Russia's shadow fleet tankers is spilling into the Mediterranean.
Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies have officially named Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's former chief of staff and right-hand man, as a suspect in a major graft and money-laundering investigation. The case represents the closest corruption allegations have come to Zelenskyy himself after years of accusations against associates.
The United States and Ukraine are moving toward a comprehensive drone defense deal that would allow Ukraine to test its drone technology at Pentagon facilities in the U.S. The agreement aims to counter Iranian drone capabilities and address production gaps highlighted by recent conflicts.
Latvia's defense minister resigned following a Ukrainian drone strike on an empty fuel depot in Latvia. Ukrainian officials stated Russia is spoofing Ukraine's drones, causing them to strike Baltic nations instead of Russian targets. This marks the fifth eastern NATO country to see defense minister turnover recently.
Russian President Vladimir Putin presided over a significantly reduced Victory Day military parade in Moscow's Red Square on May 9, 2026, coinciding with a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The downsized event reflects security concerns and marks a notable departure from previous years' celebrations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Saturday that he believes the Ukraine conflict is nearing its conclusion, speaking to reporters hours after presiding over Moscow's most scaled-back Victory Day parade in years. Putin also indicated willingness to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a third country.
European Union officials are preparing for possible negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, while the Kremlin responded that Putin is ready to talk with Europeans but will not initiate contact first.
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire from May 9-11, 2026, with both sides exchanging 1,000 prisoners of war. The agreement was announced by US President Donald Trump following American mediation efforts.
Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned diplomatic missions in Kyiv to evacuate their staff ahead of May 9 Victory Day commemorations, threatening retaliatory mass strikes if Ukraine attacks Russia during the World War II anniversary events and Red Square military parade.
Hungary returned previously seized Ukrainian funds and gold reserves, with President Zelenskyy calling it 'an important step in relations with Hungary.' The move signals a thaw in relations following Peter Magyar's election victory over Viktor Orban.
Russia declared a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine for May 8-9 during Victory Day commemorations, while threatening massive missile strikes if violated. Ukraine's Zelensky accused Putin of 'utter cynicism' after Russia hit energy plants following ceasefire claims.
A Russian missile attack on the town of Merefa in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region killed at least seven people and wounded more than 30, including a 2-year-old boy, according to Ukrainian officials. The strike damaged homes, businesses and public buildings in an area far from the front lines.
Ukraine unveiled plans to reform its military by ending open-ended service contracts, increasing soldier pay, and allowing discharge after set periods, addressing infantry shortages and retention issues four years into the war with Russia amid stalled peace negotiations.
The entire international jury of the Venice Biennale resigned just days before the prestigious art exhibition opens, amid controversy over Russia's return to the event for the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia's Defense Ministry announced, that the May 9 Victory Day parade will proceed without tanks, missiles, or any military equipment due to "the current operational situation"; the first time since 2008 that military hardware will be absent from Red Square. Analysts say the omission signals battlefield equipment strain and weakens the propaganda value of Putin's most important national showcase.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov unveiled a memorial in Pyongyang commemorating North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine. Kim reaffirmed support for Russia's 'sacred war' and discussed long-term military cooperation.
The European Union formally approved its 20th package of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, targeting additional Russian banks, cryptocurrency operations, and trade restrictions. The package includes measures to cut sanctioned banks from SWIFT and further restrictions on financial services.
EU member states gave preliminary approval to unlock a €90 billion loan for Ukraine after Kyiv repaired the damaged Druzhba oil pipeline, resolving a dispute with Hungary that had blocked the funding. Formal procedures expected to conclude Thursday.
Russia conducted massive drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, killing at least 16 people including a 12-year-old child and wounding over 100 others. The attacks targeted residential areas in Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro in what officials called the deadliest assault this year.
British Defence Minister John Healey revealed that UK warships and aircraft tracked and forced Russian submarines to abandon attempts to survey undersea cables in the North Sea during a month-long operation, demonstrating the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
Ukrainian drones attacked Russia's Black Sea energy hub Novorossiysk and the NORSI oil refinery in Nizhny Novgorod, causing fuel leaks and fires. Ukraine has increased attacks on Russian energy infrastructure to disrupt war financing.
Russia launched 286 long-range drones and missiles across Ukraine in what President Zelensky called an 'Easter escalation,' killing at least 10 people and wounding dozens. A Russian drone also struck a market in Nikopol, killing five.
A Russian An-26 military transport plane crashed into a cliff in occupied Crimea, killing all 29 people on board due to a suspected technical malfunction. The incident adds to a series of Russian military aviation accidents since the invasion of Ukraine.
European intelligence agencies report Russia is in final stages of completing phased shipment of drones, medicine and food to Iran amid ongoing conflict. The Kremlin has denied the Financial Times report as 'lies.'
Sweden has accused Russia of being behind a surge in GPS jamming incidents over the Baltic Sea, following a September incident where a plane carrying EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was forced to land in Bulgaria using paper maps after its navigation systems were jammed.
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a large scale military invasion of Ukraine. Russian forces advanced from multiple directions, including from the north through Belarus, as well as from the east and south, striking military targets and entering Ukrainian territory.
