Russia unleashed a widely anticipated air campaign against Ukraine's energy grid, hitting power facilities around Kyiv and other regions in the heaviest combined attack on energy infrastructure in months. At least seven people were killed and emergency power cuts were implemented.
Ukraine's economy minister Oleksandr Kravchenko estimates that air raid alerts cost the country approximately $45 million for every hour they force businesses to shut down, highlighting the economic toll of Russia's intensifying bombardment campaign targeting Ukrainian infrastructure.
A Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable strategic bomber crashed during a training flight in the remote Amur region of far eastern Russia near the Chinese border, killing six of the seven crew members aboard. The Defense Ministry confirmed the crash occurred in an uninhabited area during routine training operations.
NATO condemned Russia's "irresponsible nuclear rhetoric" after Moscow warned it would deploy its entire arsenal if the alliance threatens Kaliningrad. The warning followed a British TV miniseries that war-gamed a strike on the Russian exclave, prompting Russia to send a diplomatic note to NATO.
Russia launched a massive overnight strike on Wednesday hitting a communications center in Ukraine's capital Kyiv, energy facilities in the Kyiv region, and the port of Izmail. The attacks killed at least seven people and wounded dozens, with Russian forces using ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones.
South Korea's presidential office demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of disclosing the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea and then falsely denying the agreement.
Russia attacked Ukraine with 170 drones during the night of September 26-27, with Ukrainian air defenses successfully neutralizing 147 of them. The mass assault involved multiple drone types launched from various sites across Russia and occupied territories.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, marking their first known one-on-one meeting since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Germany urged Russia to abandon its path of escalation.
Around 2,000 civilians, including 50 children, face starvation in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky as Russian forces block road access and shoot down aid deliveries. Ukraine has used drones to airlift 4 tonnes of food supplies and brought the humanitarian crisis before the United Nations.
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces confirmed a drone strike on the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region, located approximately 400 kilometers from the launch point. The attack, carried out by the 1st Separate Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces and the 414th Separate Brigade, caused a fire at the facility.
Russia's Perm oil refinery, the seventh-largest in the country by refining capacity, shut down operations on September 25 following a Ukrainian drone attack that caused fires and damaged pipelines, storage facilities, and processing units including the AVT-5 crude distillation unit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on September 25 that all proposals for resolving the war with Ukraine remain on the negotiating table, while adding that Russia still needs to consider what is in its interests. The remarks came amid competing claims over strikes and casualties, with no agreement yet on a ceasefire or resumption of negotiations.
Russia announced strikes on Ukrainian defence industry facilities and vessels, while drone attacks on Kyiv killed at least seven people including a 14-year-old boy and injured over 50. The escalating strikes have also forced the closure of Ukraine's largest steel plant.
The Trump administration has made legally binding commitments to spend almost all of the $400 million in military aid to Ukraine approved by Congress late last year, ensuring the funds will not expire on September 30. As of early this week, $307 million had been committed, with the remaining $93 million expected to be approved before the deadline.
European Union member states have agreed to release €6.6 billion ($7.5 billion) from the European Peace Facility for military aid to Ukraine, ending a months-long stalemate that had blocked the fund since 2023, largely due to Hungarian opposition. The decision comes as Ukraine faces a significant shortfall in its defense budget.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported receiving positive responses from the EU and IMF regarding assistance with Ukraine's $27 billion budget deficit, warning the funding gap could leave the country short of weapons and facing serious challenges with drone production this winter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that US President Donald Trump made a "final decision" to allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defense interceptor missiles, a critical capability as Kyiv faces ongoing Russian aerial attacks. However, Trump has not publicly confirmed the decision.
European Union officials are downplaying fears that upcoming elections in France and Germany might derail the bloc's continued support for Ukraine, even as divisions emerge over EU security coordination and tensions with Russia persist.
The United States has proposed that the United Arab Emirates host a trilateral meeting between the US, Ukraine, and Russia to discuss efforts to end the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Friday. The date, format, and agenda of the proposed technical-level talks have yet to be finalized.
Russia could quickly restore up to 80% of its grain terminal capacity in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov if diplomatic efforts lead to a ceasefire halting mutual attacks with Ukraine, according to a Reuters analysis of industry data. The finding comes amid ongoing discussions over Black Sea shipping arrangements.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, calling for a diplomatic resolution to tensions following the US-Israel conflict with Tehran. The discussions came amid broader diplomatic engagement at the UN, including separate talks between Tehran and Washington.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his UN General Assembly debut to announce a new government center to combat Russian disinformation and lead efforts to establish global AI safety standards, warning that artificial intelligence can enhance Russia's disinformation capabilities. He also highlighted a new AI defense partnership with the United States.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready for a bilateral energy ceasefire with Russia after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Zelenskyy also confirmed Trump signaled openness to licensing Patriot missile production in Ukraine.
The United States has confirmed deployment of a new rotation of troops to Lithuania after President Gitanas Nausėda personally appealed to President Donald Trump to maintain forces on NATO's eastern flank. The announcement comes as Lithuania reveals it has prepared evacuation plans in response to Russian threats.
President Donald Trump announced the U.S. is working on a deal to purchase potash fertilizer from Belarus at lower prices than Canada currently provides, pivoting toward a Russian ally amid deteriorating trade relations with Canada. The move has drawn criticism given Belarus's role in supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Russia's Moscow Oil Refinery, owned by Gazprom Neft, completely halted crude oil processing after Ukrainian drones struck both primary distillation units on September 20, causing fires. Russia's total oil refining capacity has reportedly fallen 45% following the attack.
Ukrainian military analysis reveals that 69% of Russian forces on the Zaporizhzhia front line have criminal records, with 31% of Russia's overall force having signed up to avoid criminal charges. A Ukrainian commander warned that small Russian infantry groups could reach the city of Zaporizhzhia this winter.
European Union envoys agreed to lift sanctions imposed over Russia's war in Ukraine on businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, as long as no EU government objects within a set timeframe. The move has drawn criticism from Ukraine and comes as part of a broader sanctions review.
Vladimir Putin's United Russia party secured a record supermajority with approximately 355 of 450 State Duma seats in Russia's first parliamentary election since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in a tightly controlled vote that excluded opposition parties critical of the Kremlin.
Ukraine fired over 1,000 drones at Russia on the final day of parliamentary elections, with hundreds targeting Moscow and surrounding areas. The attack killed at least three people, damaged a major oil refinery in the capital, and marked the largest drone assault on Moscow to date.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump and agreed to meet in New York during UN General Assembly week. Zelenskyy said the meeting "could change a lot" in terms of finding a resolution to the 4.5-year war with Russia.
Ukraine's intelligence service reports Russia plans to deploy at least 27 Yemeni nationals in combat operations against Ukraine, as the Kremlin issues its 18th denial since summer of plans to mobilize another 300,000 Russian citizens by year's end.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Ukraine has successfully deployed a newly developed interceptor drone capable of shooting down Russia's jet-powered Shahed strike drones, sharing footage of the system in action. The announcement came as Russia launched a major overnight attack with 2 Zircon missiles and 174 drones, half of which were jet-powered Shaheds.
The State Department approved a potential $2.68 billion sale of air defense equipment to Ukraine, including S-300 Clone missiles, GAM-67 missiles, counter-drone radar systems, and mobile launcher modification kits requested by Kyiv to defend against ongoing Russian attacks.
Lithuania has prepared a detailed evacuation plan for its population in the event of a military threat, according to a new report. The plan comes as leaders along NATO's eastern flank issue urgent warnings about potential Russian aggression.
Russia opened polling stations for a three-day parliamentary election that President Vladimir Putin frames as a referendum on support for the war in Ukraine. United Russia is expected to win decisively, with most anti-war candidates barred from running.
A UN report documented widespread sexual violence by Russian forces against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war, including gang rape and electric shocks to genitals. The report found 89% of documented cases were tied to Russia, with some cases also attributed to Ukrainian authorities.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced Poland has joined an anti-ballistic missile coalition with Ukraine and other allies to develop the Freyja missile defense system, a cheaper alternative to US Patriot systems. The decision follows months of deliberation and a meeting in Ukraine.
As artificial intelligence enables drones and missiles to operate without GPS or constant communication, Ukraine's armed forces continue to rely on reconnaissance soldiers for critical battlefield intelligence. The 60th Mechanized Brigade demonstrates the ongoing need for human operators despite advancing drone technology.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed Russia has no aggressive intentions toward Europe and is ready to restore relations, even as he accused NATO of expanding and preparing for war. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, warned of intensifying Russian hybrid attacks against the continent.
Ukraine fired a barrage of drones targeting 16 Russian regions as Russia held parliamentary elections, the first since the invasion began. The Black Sea resort city of Sochi temporarily closed beaches due to threats of Ukrainian sea drone attacks.
Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned Britain's chargé d'affaires Danae Dholakia on Friday to formally protest what Moscow described as London's continued increase in weapons supplies to Ukraine. The Kremlin characterized UK support for Ukraine as an endorsement of 'terrorism' amid escalating diplomatic tensions.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico claimed some Western politicians are seeking conflict between NATO and Russia following what he called a "failed" strategy to defeat Moscow in Ukraine. He also cast doubt on NATO's Article 5 mutual defense clause, saying Slovakia doesn't want war "because of some Article 5."
Russia's ruling United Russia party is winning the country's first parliamentary election since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to early results from the tightly controlled vote held over three days. The Kremlin sought to use the election to showcase popular support for the war.
Ukraine has received a €3.3 billion tranche from the European Union under the Ukraine Support Loan program, which Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi confirmed will be used to purchase missiles and drones. The amount is smaller than the previously promised €4.7 billion due to delays in processing Ukrainian receipts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree placing the Russian subsidiaries of Swiss food giant Nestlé and French retailers Auchan and Leroy Merlin under temporary state administration, the latest move against Western companies operating in Russia.
The FBI has issued a warning that Russia is planning targeted assassinations on US soil and in European countries that support Ukraine. The alert comes as Russian dissident Roman Dobrokhotov attended a Washington DC conference, highlighting heightened security concerns for Kremlin critics.
Russia is using as many as 25,000 North Korean workers to assemble Iranian-designed drones for its war in Ukraine, with some disguised as students according to a UN sanctions watchdog. The practice violates 2017 UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit North Koreans from earning income in other countries.
A Russian barrage of missiles and drones targeting Ukraine's capital and surrounding region injured at least 19 people, including children, overnight and into Thursday morning. Ukraine's Air Force reported destroying or suppressing 131 aerial targets during the attack.
The US Congress has passed sweeping sanctions legislation targeting Russia's energy sector and authorizing tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India. The bill, named for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, now awaits President Trump's signature.
All 3,000 EU sanctions against individuals helping Russia's war effort could expire by September 21 if no compromise is reached, as France seeks to lift sanctions on Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov under pressure from Azerbaijan. The dispute coincides with Russia opening new legal challenges over frozen assets and the U.S. expanding sanctions related to deported Ukrainian children.
President Trump signed the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, authorizing tariffs up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil. India warned the measures could damage bilateral ties and vowed to protect its energy security.
Russian forces killed at least nine civilians in multiple drone attacks on civilian vehicles and transport across Ukraine this week, including an FPV drone strike on a car in Sumy Oblast that killed four people on September 19, and earlier attacks on a passenger bus and train in southern Ukraine that killed five.
NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace overnight Tuesday, while in a separate incident a Russian warship fired emergency flares at a Danish military helicopter tracking the vessel. The incidents mark the latest tensions on NATO's eastern flank amid the ongoing Ukraine war.
Russia struck petrol stations in Kyiv and Ukraine hit a Russian oil refinery on September 15, contradicting President Trump's announcement that both nations had agreed to an energy infrastructure truce. The Kremlin called the proposal a "good idea" but both countries denied any agreement was in place.
President Donald Trump called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to stop targeting Russia's diesel fuel infrastructure and refineries, claiming the attacks are contributing to a global diesel shortage and hurting the world. The request comes as diesel prices surge amid ongoing conflict in Iran.
A Russian drone hit the locomotive of a Kyiv-to-Warsaw passenger train just kilometers from the Poland-Ukraine border on Sunday, shortly after former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and ex-CIA chief David Petraeus had passed through the area. Ukrainian officials said the strike brought Russian attacks dangerously close to NATO territory.
A Russian drone hit a Kyiv-Warsaw passenger train just 2 kilometers from the Polish border, shortly after former UK PM Boris Johnson and other Western officials had passed through the station. Ukraine's foreign minister said Putin is 'knocking on NATO's door.'
Leaders from BRICS nations are gathering in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS summit, with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit is expected to focus on wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with economic challenges.
The House of Representatives will vote next week on a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that passed the Senate 86-11 in August. The legislation, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, would impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas, but faces uncertain prospects in the House despite strong Senate support.
The Russian Orthodox Church has sent bone fragments from the sword hand of a medieval warrior prince who defeated the Mongols to Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, saying the relic would spiritually strengthen soldiers and help achieve victory.
Amnesty International has accused Russia of illegally trafficking foreign nationals to fight in Ukraine by deceiving them with fake job offers, then forcing them into military service upon arrival. The report, based on interviews with prisoners of war, describes victims as typically under 40 from poorer countries lured by promises of employment.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and other BRICS leaders for a summit in New Delhi this weekend. The gathering comes as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, particularly the US-led war on Iran, strain unity within the expanded bloc.
Ukraine launched its deepest-ever attack into Russia, striking gas condensate facilities in the Arctic Yamalia region approximately 3,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The unprecedented long-range drone strikes sparked fires at industrial facilities and demonstrate Ukraine's expanding operational reach.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that any deployment of European troops to Ukraine would constitute a direct war with Russia, speaking ahead of a BRICS summit in New Delhi. The warning comes as Ukraine conducted its deepest strike into Russian territory, targeting Arctic gas facilities over 3,000km from its border.
A plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was nearly hit by a drone while taking off from Moldova en route to Oslo for King Harald V's funeral, according to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Zelenskyy's office later disputed the characterization of the danger.
Russia intends to conduct final tests of a new, currently unnamed ballistic missile with a range of up to 800 kilometers (500 miles) by the end of 2026, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. The tests could involve strikes against targets in western Ukraine.
Hungary ordered 10 Russian diplomats to leave the country over espionage and activities incompatible with their diplomatic status, marking a dramatic shift from former Prime Minister Viktor Orban's pro-Moscow stance. Russia has promised a 'harsh and painful' response to the expulsions.
Russia's FSB security service announced the detention of Nicolae Kochu, a 21-year-old Moldovan citizen, suspected of shooting Russian Aerospace Forces General Nikolay Varpakhovich in the Astrakhan region. Russian authorities claim Kochu was recruited by Ukraine to carry out the assassination attempt, which is the latest in a series of attacks on Russian military personnel linked to the war in Ukraine.
Russia's FSB security service announced the detention of Nicolae Kochu, a 21-year-old Moldovan citizen, suspected of shooting Russian Aerospace Forces General Nikolay Varpakhovich in the Astrakhan region. Russian authorities claim Kochu was recruited by Ukraine to carry out the assassination attempt, which is the latest in a series of attacks on Russian military personnel linked to the war in Ukraine.
British defense officials announced that an estimated 500,000 Russian troops have been killed since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The announcement comes amid ongoing Russian strikes across Ukraine that have killed at least 15 people in recent days.
President Donald Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin in an hour-long phone call to swiftly end the war in Ukraine, suggesting that US-Russia relations could be "fully restored" and trade prospects opened if the conflict concludes, according to Kremlin officials.
Units of Russia's 101st Missile Brigade equipped with Oreshnik intermediate-range missile systems have been stationed in Belarus, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. Despite the deployment, Ukrainian officials assess the immediate threat level remains low.
Russia and North Korea have opened their first road bridge spanning the Tumen River at their shared border, marking a significant deepening of ties between the two countries since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine. The bridge is named after Soviet officer Yakov Novichenko.
Russia and North Korea inaugurated their first road bridge spanning the Tumen River in a ceremony highlighting deepening ties between the two countries. Both sides described the structure as an important milestone in bilateral relations.
Ukrainian officials announced that three-way negotiations between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia could resume in early October, following recent visits by US special envoys to both Kyiv and Moscow with new peace proposals. The talks come after a phone call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine has submitted urgent requests to NATO and the EU for air defense systems, particularly Patriot missiles, as winter approaches. The US, UK, France, and Italy are coordinating deliveries, with the UK committing £100 million and allies seeking to rapidly strengthen Ukraine's defenses amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko submitted his resignation to President Zelensky and parliament following a corruption scandal involving illegal call centers. His offices were searched days earlier as part of the investigation.
US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Kyiv for meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, marking the Trump administration's renewed push to end Russia's war in Ukraine following their earlier visit to Moscow.
Trump administration envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow on September 5 to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a renewed push to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Both Russia and Ukraine agreed to a 72-hour pause on strikes against each other's capitals during the diplomatic talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a three-day halt to strikes on Kyiv ahead of visits by US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv, marking Washington's latest attempt to broker peace in the war now in its fifth year.
A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's SBU security service in central Kyiv, marking a rare direct hit on a key government building. The attack came during the eighth consecutive day of Russian aerial assaults on the capital.
Russian drone strikes on Kyiv injured between 10-13 people, including a 12-year-old child, and damaged a Coca-Cola plant outside the capital along with a 16-story apartment building in the Podil district. The attacks mark the eighth straight day of Russian aerial assaults on the Ukrainian capital.
President Trump announced he will ask European nations to retroactively pay back the United States for military aid and munitions previously sent to Ukraine, marking a significant shift in US policy toward allied burden-sharing.
Russia announced it will shut down branches of Germany's Goethe-Institut cultural centers in response to Germany's closure of the Russian House in Berlin and a Russian consulate in Bonn. The escalating tensions come after Berlin blamed Moscow for an airport drone plot, part of broader Western accusations of Russian sabotage campaigns.
President Donald Trump announced the US will ask European nations to pay back the United States for military aid and munitions previously sent to Ukraine, while appearing to signal a halt in weapons sales to allies. The statement comes as US envoys prepare to visit Kyiv and Moscow for peace negotiations.
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.
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.
