Samya Kullab

The dismissal of defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov sparked protests that broadened into opposition to commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy replaced Syrskyi with the younger battlefield commander Mykhailo Drapatyi, whose appointment has eased concerns about morale and may bridge traditional military structures with Fedorov's technology-driven reforms. Fedorov remains popular for pursuing military modernization, protecting soldiers' lives and expanding drones, long-range weapons and procurement reforms. The episode exposed frustration over bureaucracy, centralized command and alleged abuses, while raising competing questions about democratic accountability and the risks of public pressure determining senior military appointments. Fedorov's strengthened political profile and refusal to accept another post unless reinstated leave Ukraine's military and political direction unsettled.

Residents of Kyiv’s Lukianivka neighborhood continue living and working there despite repeated Russian missile strikes targeting the area, including the Artem weapons factory and the historic market. Affordable housing, longstanding community ties and the belief that no part of Kyiv is entirely safe have encouraged people to stay. Businesses are rebuilding beside ruins, residents are repairing homes and a local theater has moved performances underground, reflecting the neighborhood’s determination to preserve daily and cultural life during the war.

Street protests erupted in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities after President Volodymyr Zelensky moved to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a widely viewed modernizer credited with recent military improvements. Tensions were reported between Fedorov and armed forces chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, whose leadership has drawn criticism from demonstrators. Fedorov highlighted achievements in drone expansion, missile defense procurement and military reform while acknowledging incomplete structural changes. As part of a broader government reshuffle, Zelensky nominated Naftogaz CEO Serhii Koretskyi for prime minister, with parliament debating the changes ahead of the summer recess.

Protests took place in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy moved to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a popular modernizer credited with advancing drones, military technology and procurement reforms. Demonstrators criticized the move and Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, amid reports of tension between the two officials. Fedorov confirmed his departure and highlighted achievements while acknowledging unfinished reforms. Zelenskyy also nominated Naftogaz CEO Serhii Koretskyi for a senior government role, citing his energy-sector experience as Ukraine prepares for another difficult winter.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced her resignation after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was changing its political strategy and preparing a broader government reshuffle, including changes in senior law enforcement positions. Zelenskyy offered Svyrydenko a new role focused on relations with a key international partner. The report also details Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, including the Rosneft-owned Syzran refinery, which Russian officials said killed one person and injured three, as well as a drone attack that damaged an empty tanker near Rostov. The strikes have contributed to fuel shortages and gasoline rationing in Russia, while Moscow has intensified attacks on Ukrainian cities and ports.

Ukraine’s midrange drones, equipped with Starlink communications, are extending attacks deep behind Russian lines and disrupting roads that carry fuel, ammunition and reinforcements. The K-2 brigade says it launched 800 such drones in May, with 650 hitting their intended targets, while pilots report that successful sorties have risen to roughly eight in ten after Russia lost unauthorized access to Starlink. The campaign has made supply routes linking southern Ukraine, Mariupol, Berdyansk, Melitopol and Crimea slower and more dangerous, helping constrain Russian advances. Russia has begun deploying mobile fire groups, machine-gun positions, interceptor crews and electronic-warfare systems, but weak coordination between its units has so far limited the effectiveness of its response. Ukraine’s advantage may narrow as Russia adapts, leaving the campaign’s durability as the key question.

Ukraine says it struck Russia’s Ufa oil refinery for the second time in a week and hit a missile-components plant in the Penza region, although Russia did not confirm the attacks and they could not be independently verified. Moscow reported intercepting 179 Ukrainian drones, while Ukrainian officials and Western analysts said sustained strikes on Russian energy infrastructure are contributing to fuel rationing and slowing Russian military logistics. Sweden agreed to provide Ukraine with Gripen fighter jets, and Swedish and Ukrainian officials promoted deeper European and Euro-Atlantic security integration. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also sought progress toward Ukraine’s EU membership during a visit to Ireland. Russian attacks on Ukraine killed three civilians and injured several others.

Premature birth rates have risen sharply in several Ukrainian regions since Russia’s 2022 invasion, nearly doubling in Kherson and increasing substantially in Zaporizhzhia and Poltava. Experts link the trend partly to prolonged maternal stress, infection risks and disrupted access to medical care. Hospitals near the front lines continue providing intensive neonatal treatment amid air raids, damaged infrastructure and staff shortages, while mothers often care for medically fragile babies alone because their partners are serving in the war. The increase adds to Ukraine’s severe demographic crisis, already marked by displacement, emigration and a fertility rate near one child per woman.

Iryna Nakonechna lost her left leg and suffered other serious injuries in a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih that killed her husband, Serhii, in March 2025. As she learns to walk with a prosthetic, physical therapy and knitting capybara toys through the Superhumans rehabilitation center help her rebuild confidence and manage grief. Her recovery reflects the wider, growing challenge Ukraine faces as tens of thousands of civilians and soldiers sustain limb injuries during the war.

Russia launched a large-scale assault on Kyiv involving hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, according to Ukrainian officials and Russia’s Defence Ministry. The attack killed at least two people, injured 83 and damaged homes, government buildings and other infrastructure. Ukrainian forces intercepted or jammed most of the incoming weapons but were unable to stop all ballistic missiles, highlighting Ukraine’s shortage of advanced air defences. Russia said the strike was retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on civilian facilities inside Russia, while the destruction in Kyiv renewed calls for greater Western air-defence support.

Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities have named former presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak as a suspect in an alleged 460-million-hryvnia money-laundering scheme tied to a luxury construction project near Kyiv. Yermak denies the allegations and has not been formally charged, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not a suspect. The case is connected to a broader alleged $100 million kickback network involving contractors working with state-owned energy company Energoatom and officials close to the president. The investigation threatens Zelenskyy’s credibility, Ukraine’s efforts to join the European Union and its need to maintain Western support during the war with Russia.

A Russian drone strike on a minibus in Kherson killed two people and wounded seven, while a subsequent attack injured another driver. Russian strikes also damaged port infrastructure in Odesa. Russia claimed control of the village of Myropillia in the Sumy region, though the claim could not be independently verified. Ukrainian drones meanwhile targeted an oil terminal and refinery in Tuapse, Russia, with repeated attacks causing fires and evacuations as Kyiv seeks to disrupt Moscow’s oil exports. The economic impact remains uncertain because higher oil prices linked to the Iran war and eased US sanctions have helped support Kremlin revenues.

At least 16 people were reported killed in weekend strikes across Ukraine, Russian-occupied territory and Russia, including nine in Dnipro and casualties in Sevastopol, Luhansk and Belgorod. Ukraine also struck an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, while Russia continued attacks with drones and missiles. On the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that attacks near the plant could create another man-made catastrophe. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said damage to the New Safe Confinement’s protective shell has compromised a key safety function and requires immediate repairs, estimated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to cost at least €500 million.

The European Union has approved a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine after months of delays linked to a dispute over the Druzhba oil pipeline and opposition from Hungary and Slovakia. The funding is expected to cover about two-thirds of Ukraine’s financing needs in 2026 and 2027, supporting both government operations and defense spending. Ukraine will receive €45 billion for the remainder of the current year and another €45 billion for 2027. Repayment will begin only after Russia provides war reparations, while Russian central-bank assets will remain frozen rather than being used directly to guarantee the borrowing.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said U.S. weapons deliveries to Ukraine continue despite the war involving Iran and that Ukrainian long-range strikes are damaging Russian oil and industrial infrastructure. Ukraine continues using domestically developed drones and missiles, alongside American Patriot air defenses, while Russia attacks Ukrainian energy facilities and civilians. Prince Harry visited Kyiv and praised Ukraine’s resilience. Russian officials reported intercepting 154 Ukrainian drones, while strikes and resulting fires caused deaths, injuries and environmental concerns in Dnipro, Tuapse and the Samara region. Ukrainian officials also reported attacks on Russian refineries, pipelines and an oil pumping station, arguing that the strikes reduce Russia’s war-financing revenues.

Iran has reportedly given field commanders greater autonomy over hard-line Iraqi militias, allowing some groups to launch operations without approval from a centralized command. The shift followed escalating regional conflict and U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, while attacks by Iran-backed factions targeted U.S. personnel, bases and diplomatic interests in Iraq. The militias are formally part of Iraq’s state-funded Popular Mobilization Forces but remain closely aligned with Iranian priorities, exposing the Iraqi government’s limited ability to control them. Washington has imposed sanctions and is expected to increase military and political pressure, while Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s caretaker government faces resistance from factions that helped bring it to power.

Ukraine’s Khartiia Corps has grown from a small volunteer unit into a 40,000-member formation that exemplifies efforts to modernize the country’s military. It relies on decentralized leadership, US Army planning methods, after-action reviews, advanced drones and robotic systems, professional recruitment and digital fundraising, contrasting these practices with the Ukrainian army’s Soviet-era hierarchy, bureaucracy and reluctance to report bad news. Khartiia and the 3rd Army Corps have achieved battlefield successes, including a counterattack near Kupiansk, and are sharing training and operational methods with other units. Their commanders believe the model could drive wider reform, although it remains uncertain whether Ukraine’s senior military leadership will accept it.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that a prolonged U.S.-Israeli war with Iran could divert American attention, Patriot air-defense missiles and other support away from Ukraine. He said Ukraine already lacks sufficient Patriot systems to defend against Russia’s ballistic-missile attacks and is seeking stronger security guarantees and continued negotiations. The conflict in the Middle East is also raising oil prices and easing pressure on Russia by increasing its revenues and contributing to limited sanctions relief. Zelensky proposed sharing Ukraine’s experience and drone technologies with the United States, European partners and Gulf countries in exchange for additional air-defense capabilities. He also discussed peace talks and possible defense cooperation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while Ukraine prepares for a renewed Russian offensive and rejects territorial concessions.

American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson, 49, was kidnapped by two men in Baghdad after years of reporting independently across Iraq, Syria and the wider Middle East. Former colleagues and friends described her as courageous, deeply curious and committed to covering dangerous areas despite financial hardship and the lack of institutional protection. She had reportedly received a warning from U.S. officials about a militia threat but dismissed it shortly before her abduction. Accounts also describe earlier difficulties entering Iraq and repeated encounters with security forces and militias. Her last published article examined the impact of the Iran war on Iraq’s Kurdish region.

The war in Iran and the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz have brought Iraq’s southern oil industry and import trade close to a standstill. Basra’s oil output has fallen from about 3.1 million to 900,000 barrels per day, while exports are halted and production at major fields has been suspended or sharply reduced. Iraq’s dependence on oil for roughly 90% of its budget leaves the government able to manage only until mid-May before it may need to issue bonds. Attacks on oil facilities, U.S. bases and shipping, along with the departure of foreign workers, have intensified the crisis. Imports through Umm Qasr have been halved and rerouted through the United Arab Emirates at high cost, while the Shalamcha crossing with Iran faces repeated closures and trade delays.

War and intensified Iranian security measures have severed family communications, disrupted long-standing travel and trade, and halted the work of Kurdish cross-border porters along the Iraq-Iran frontier. Residents are relying on risky border trips, VPNs, smuggled Starlink connections and improvised phone calls to contact relatives, while traders and smugglers face tighter controls and potential violence. Activists report expanded checkpoints, arrests and attacks on telecommunications infrastructure, leaving communities isolated and worsening the humanitarian and economic consequences of the conflict.

Thousands of Iranian Kurds living in Iraq’s Kawa Camp say they would return home only after Iran’s theocratic government falls and a successor guarantees their safety and political rights. Displaced since and after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, they lack citizenship and full civil rights in Iraq while remaining vulnerable to Iranian surveillance and attacks by Iran-backed Iraqi militias. Kurdish fighters in Iraq hope for regime change but lack the weapons and air support needed for a ground offensive, and many distrust foreign powers because of repeated historical betrayals. Ongoing missile and drone attacks have forced fighters’ families out of military camps, deepening fears that the conflict could expand into civilian areas.

The reopening of the Haji Omeran crossing has allowed Iranians to enter Iraqi Kurdistan for cheaper food, internet access, family contact and employment after airstrikes and wartime inflation made conditions increasingly desperate. Iranian Kurds described widespread internet outages, damaged military and security facilities, and authorities sheltering outside official buildings. Families are fleeing bombardment, while workers are leaving relatives behind to earn money in Iraqi Kurdistan. The crossing has become a crucial lifeline for civilians facing hunger, displacement and economic collapse.

Iraq is being struck by both Iran-aligned militias and the United States as the wider Iran war threatens to pull the country into a deeper crisis. Drone and missile attacks have hit U.S. facilities, Kurdish groups, oil fields and energy infrastructure, while disruptions to shipping and the Strait of Hormuz have sharply reduced oil exports, which provide more than 90% of state revenue. Baghdad warns that public-sector salaries could be disrupted as soon as next month, while the Kurdistan Region is already facing severe electricity shortages and financial pressure. Efforts to restart Kurdish oil exports through Turkey remain stalled by political and economic disputes. Iraq's caretaker government has limited authority to control militias or manage the fallout, increasing the risk that economic shocks, political paralysis and escalating proxy conflict will undermine the country's relative stability.

Ukraine has developed inexpensive interceptor drones capable of countering Iranian-designed Shahed drones used extensively by Russia. As the United States and Gulf states expend large stocks of costly Patriot missiles in the Middle East, they are seeking Ukrainian drones and operational expertise. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes to exchange interceptors and training for the Patriot missiles Ukraine urgently needs, but wartime export restrictions currently block sales. Ukrainian manufacturers say they can produce tens of thousands of drones monthly, although effective deployment requires trained crews and radar integration. Analysts caution that entering the global arms market will require formal regulation and complex diplomacy, while sending specialists abroad could also weaken Ukraine’s own defenses.

UNHCR chief Barham Salih said diplomacy remains the only viable route to a durable and just peace in Ukraine, while acknowledging major obstacles to a deal and rejecting a military solution. After visiting frontline areas and meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he warned that Russian attacks, winter conditions and intensified hostilities are worsening humanitarian needs. UNHCR has received only $150 million of its $470 million Ukraine appeal, despite 3.7 million internally displaced people and nearly 6 million refugees abroad; the agency projects that 10.8 million Ukrainians will need assistance in 2026. Salih also warned that cuts to U.S. humanitarian funding are eroding global aid capacity and called for both immediate support and longer-term recovery, self-reliance and durable solutions.

Former Ukrainian army chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi has publicly described a deepening rift with President Volodymyr Zelensky, including disagreements over military strategy and an alleged 2022 intimidation raid at his office. Ukraine’s SBU denies searching Zaluzhnyi’s office and says the address was linked to an unrelated organized-crime investigation. Zaluzhnyi also says Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive failed after the forces and resources in his NATO-supported plan were dispersed. Although he denies pursuing political ambitions during the war, polling places him narrowly ahead of Zelensky in a hypothetical postwar election, raising concerns that the dispute could further polarize Ukraine as Russia advances and pressure grows for a peace deal.

Drone strikes killed civilians in Odesa, Ukraine, and Russia’s Bryansk region, following a deadly Ukrainian missile strike on Belgorod. The attacks come as US-brokered peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian envoys are scheduled in Geneva, after previous negotiations in Abu Dhabi failed to resolve major disputes, including the future of the largely occupied Donbas. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked US and European allies for air-defence support and insisted that security guarantees for Ukraine must precede any peace agreement.

Bangladeshi men seeking civilian jobs in Russia were allegedly deceived by recruiters into signing military contracts and forced to fight for Russia in Ukraine. Survivors described beatings, threats of imprisonment or execution, combat training and dangerous frontline assignments, while families reported missing relatives and at least one confirmed death. Investigations by BRAC and Bangladeshi police identified recruitment networks involving intermediaries in Bangladesh and Russia, but the scale of the operation remains unclear; officials and the Russian government did not respond to questions.

The United States and Ukraine have reached agreement on most elements of a proposed 20-point framework to end the war, but remain divided over control of Donetsk and the management of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The U.S. has proposed free economic zones and a three-way operating consortium for the plant, while Ukraine seeks a referendum on territorial arrangements, demilitarization, international monitoring and a U.S.-Ukraine joint venture. The plan also includes Article 5-style security guarantees, a ceasefire-monitoring system, maintenance of Ukraine’s peacetime army at 800,000, elections after an agreement, economic and reconstruction funding, and prisoner and detainee exchanges. Russia is expected to respond to the draft.

Ukraine's Dancing with the Stars has returned for a special prerecorded episode featuring wartime veterans and public figures, including performers using prosthetic limbs. The program highlights resilience amid air alerts, power cuts and the risk of Russian attacks, making a live broadcast impossible. Proceeds will benefit the Superhumans Center, while participants such as veteran Ruslana Danilkina seek to encourage wounded Ukrainians rebuilding their lives. Audiences will vote for their favorite performance when the episode airs.

Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s gas extraction and storage facilities have created an additional winter import requirement of 4.4 billion cubic meters, costing roughly $2 billion. Naftogaz has secured about 70% of the financing through European loans and grants and is seeking U.S. government-backed lending to purchase liquefied natural gas. The damaged infrastructure is vital for heating homes, supplying hot water, supporting industry and generating some electricity. Officials and experts are also debating higher household gas prices and more targeted subsidies, but Ukraine’s leadership has deferred reforms because of wartime hardship, political sensitivity and concerns about social cohesion.

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has joined the advisory board of Ukrainian defense company Fire Point as it expands production of its Flamingo cruise missile and FP-1 long-range drone. The company is building a solid-rocket-fuel plant in Denmark through the Danish funding model and intends to more than double missile production. Fire Point says it supports an independent audit and has nothing to hide, but Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities are examining alleged inflated prices or quantities in Defense Ministry contracts, the company's opaque ownership and possible links to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy associate Tymur Mindich. The Flamingo has reportedly been used in strikes in occupied Crimea and Russia, while its production and battlefield testing continue under security restrictions.

Tymur Mindich, a former business partner and close associate of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is accused of masterminding a $100 million embezzlement and kickbacks scheme involving Energoatom. Investigators say wiretaps show he influenced officials and contractors who allegedly demanded kickbacks of up to 15 percent, with funds laundered through shell companies. Mindich has fled Ukraine and may face proceedings in absentia, while Energy Minister-turned-Justice Minister Herman Haluschenko and another senior minister have resigned. Anti-corruption activists argue that Mindich’s rise was enabled by his relationship with Zelenskyy and his inner circle. NABU is also investigating whether he was the ultimate beneficiary of drone maker Fire Point, which denies any such dealings.

Ukraine’s justice and energy ministers resigned after the National Anti-Corruption Bureau uncovered an alleged $100 million kickback and money-laundering scheme involving contractors to state nuclear-power company Energoatom. Investigators say the network demanded 10–15 percent payments, while leaked wiretaps also raised questions about delayed fortifications protecting energy infrastructure from Russian attacks. The scandal has drawn scrutiny because Timur Mindich, a close associate of President Volodymyr Zelensky, is reportedly connected to one suspect and has faced related questions over defense contracts, although no formal charges against him or former energy minister Herman Halushchenko are described. Zelensky reversed an earlier attempt to weaken anti-corruption bodies after protests and has backed the investigation, while European partners warned that the affair could threaten confidence and future aid.

Russian and Ukrainian forces are engaged in intense street fighting for Pokrovsk in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, with Russian troops reportedly controlling more than 70 percent of the city and potentially able to capture it within weeks or months. Ukraine has deployed elite infantry, special forces and intelligence units to slow the advance, while both sides contest claims about encirclement, casualties and supply lines. The city’s fall would be a significant symbolic and political victory for Vladimir Putin, potentially strengthening Russia’s demands for Ukrainian concessions in the Donbas and influencing Donald Trump’s view of the war, although further Russian advances would likely be slow and costly.

Ukraine claims its drones struck the Volgograd oil refinery, Russia’s largest fuel and lubricants producer in the Southern Federal District, in an effort to reduce Moscow’s oil-export revenue. Russian authorities did not confirm the strike but reported a fire at an industrial site, while Russia said its air defenses intercepted 75 drones. Ukraine also reported strikes on fuel facilities in occupied Crimea and a Shahed-drone base. Meanwhile, Russian drone and infrastructure attacks injured eight people in Kamianske and disrupted rail services in several Ukrainian regions, as both sides continued targeting energy infrastructure despite US-led diplomatic efforts.

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, HUR, said it destroyed all three lines of the Koltsevoy fuel pipeline near Moscow, disrupting supplies of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel to Russian forces. The claimed strike came as Russia continued large-scale drone and missile attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Ukrainian officials reported one civilian death and 15 injuries in Mykolaiv, a fire at a gas plant in Poltava, and another injury in Chernihiv; Ukraine said most of 223 overnight Russian drones were intercepted.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukrainian long-range strikes have reduced Russia’s oil-refining capacity by 20%, with more than 90% of the attacks reportedly conducted using Ukrainian-made weapons. He is seeking additional foreign funding for weapons production, while U.S. and European sanctions aim to reduce Russian energy revenues. Zelenskyy also said Ukraine has secured 70% of the funds needed for winter gas imports, plans to produce hundreds of drone interceptors daily, has captured 2,200 Russian prisoners of war, and is discussing the acquisition of 250 combat aircraft with Sweden, France and the United States.

Ukraine is seeking billions of dollars in Western investment, licensing agreements and joint ventures to triple its defense production as NATO membership remains unlikely. Its war-driven expertise in drones, artificial intelligence, robotics and armored vehicles has helped raise domestic coverage of military needs from 10% to nearly 60%, despite a defense budget less than half Russia’s. European governments are increasingly interested in financing Ukrainian production, both to strengthen Ukraine against Russia and to gain access to battle-tested technologies. Denmark has already begun direct financing, while a group of countries has committed €1.3 billion for artillery, drones, missiles and anti-tank systems; Germany and Britain are pursuing related arrangements. Ukrainian officials argue that faster development and battlefield feedback give the country an advantage that could benefit Western armies as well as Ukraine.

Ukraine expects roughly $3.5 billion from a NATO-backed fund to purchase US-made weapons, including Patriot missiles and HIMARS munitions, as it continues defending against Russia’s invasion. A separate US-Ukraine investment fund is launching with $150 million in seed capital for energy, infrastructure and critical-mineral projects. Russia has reiterated its willingness to hold peace talks while continuing aerial attacks that disrupt Ukrainian rail and power services.

Ukraine expects contributions to its Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List to reach approximately $3.5–3.6 billion by October, allowing NATO members other than the United States to finance purchases of US-made weapons. The first shipments will include Patriot missile interceptors and HIMARS munitions. The announcement comes as Russian attacks continue to damage Ukrainian rail and power infrastructure and cause civilian injuries, while peace talks remain stalled despite Moscow's stated openness to negotiations. Separately, a US-Ukraine minerals investment fund will launch with $150 million in seed capital, initially targeting energy, infrastructure and critical-mineral projects and aiming to finance three projects by the end of 2026.

Russia launched 805 drones and 13 missiles against Ukraine in the largest aerial attack of the full-scale war, according to Ukrainian officials. Ukraine said it neutralized 747 drones and four missiles, but reported nine missile hits and 56 drone strikes across 37 locations. At least two people—a mother and her three-month-old child—were killed and at least 17 injured. In Kyiv, residential buildings were hit and the roof and upper floors of the Cabinet of Ministers building were damaged, marking a possible escalation in attacks on central government facilities. The assault came as hopes for peace talks weakened, with Ukraine seeking tougher sanctions on Russia and European allies discussing a postwar reassurance force.

Ukrainian startup Fire Point has rapidly expanded from producing about 30 drones per month to roughly 100 per day, supplying FP-1 deep-strike drones capable of reaching targets up to 1,600 kilometers away. The company says its weapons have struck Russian oil refineries and weapons depots and helped reduce pressure on Ukrainian forces. Fire Point is also producing the FP-5, nicknamed Flamingo, a cruise missile with a reported range of 3,000 kilometers and a 1,150-kilogram payload. Its growth reflects Ukraine’s broader effort to build a self-sufficient defense industry amid constrained Western support, while covert factories, rapid battlefield feedback and domestic innovation help manufacturers adapt to Russian electronic warfare and changing tactics. Ukrainian officials see potential for major exports to European allies, but the facilities remain high-value Russian targets and the company is preparing for the possibility of a wider war.

Ukraine expects to clarify within seven to 10 days what security guarantees its allies, including the United States, may provide as part of efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the framework could support direct talks with Vladimir Putin, potentially involving Donald Trump, while Russia's foreign minister rejected arrangements made without Moscow's participation. Trump has signaled openness to Article 5-like guarantees, encouraging renewed discussions among more than 30 supporting countries, while Turkey has indicated readiness to help secure the Black Sea. Zelenskyy also argued that Ukraine cannot withdraw from eastern territories because doing so could expose key cities and industrial areas. The developments followed a major Russian aerial attack that killed at least one person and injured 15.

Donald Trump has suggested that Ukraine and Russia could exchange territory as part of a potential peace agreement, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejects the idea. Ukraine’s constitution requires a nationwide referendum to change its territorial borders, meaning Zelensky cannot unilaterally cede land. Analysts warn that abandoning areas such as Donetsk could weaken Ukraine’s defenses and facilitate another Russian invasion. A freeze along the current front line appears more acceptable to many Ukrainians than a formal land swap, although it would still leave occupied territories unresolved and require credible Western security guarantees.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected formally surrendering Ukrainian territory and warned that any peace agreement reached without Kyiv would fail. His comments came ahead of a planned Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, which will occur before any proposed meeting involving Zelenskyy and has raised fears that Ukraine and Europe could be sidelined. Trump suggested that a settlement might involve territorial exchanges, while Russia and Ukraine remain far apart over peace terms. The meeting also gives Putin diplomatic recognition on U.S. soil despite Russia’s continuing attacks. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has not clarified whether threatened sanctions and secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil will proceed, and fresh Russian strikes killed and wounded civilians in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office say they uncovered a scheme in which state contracts for drones, electronic warfare systems and other military equipment were deliberately inflated, with kickbacks of up to 30 percent. Four people have been arrested, including a lawmaker, local officials and National Guard personnel, who were removed from their posts. The disclosure came two days after parliament restored the agencies’ independence following protests and criticism from Ukrainians, the European Union and rights groups over an earlier effort to place them under the prosecutor-general’s oversight. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the alleged corruption and said those responsible must face accountability, while the case highlights the importance of clean procurement for Ukraine’s war effort, Western aid and EU membership ambitions.

Gaza’s prolonged war has created a severe cash shortage after banks and ATMs became largely inoperable, Israel stopped allowing newly printed currency into the territory, and families and businesses withdrew or demanded cash. Palestinians now rely on largely unregulated brokers who charge commissions of about 40 percent, while inflation, unemployment and damaged banknotes further erode purchasing power. Digital payments have failed to replace cash because merchants insist on physical currency. Experts say wealthy traders control much of the cash market, though it remains unclear whether brokers support Hamas, and many families are exhausting their savings and turning to humanitarian aid for food.

The killing of Gaza cardiologist and former Indonesian Hospital director Marwan al-Sultan in an Israeli airstrike has deepened the territory’s shortage of medical specialists. Colleagues said al-Sultan was one of only two doctors capable of performing advanced heart procedures and had served as a mentor to younger physicians. His wife, daughter and son-in-law were also killed. The Israeli military said it had targeted a key Hamas figure and that the incident was under review. The report places al-Sultan’s death within a broader collapse of Gaza’s health system: more than 1,400 health workers have reportedly been killed, hundreds of attacks on healthcare facilities have been documented, and only 17 of 36 hospitals remain operational. Several other prominent Gaza doctors have also died in airstrikes or detention, leaving hospitals with too few specialists to treat the growing number of wounded patients.

Israeli airstrikes killed 14 Palestinians in southern Gaza, including a doctor and his three children, while at least 10 others died while seeking food near aid distribution points and trucks. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said Hamas militants wounded two American aid workers with grenades at a Khan Younis site, though it provided no independent evidence. The incidents occurred as Hamas gave a positive response to a U.S. proposal for a 60-day truce while seeking guarantees of a permanent end to the war and an Israeli withdrawal. Donald Trump is expected to discuss a potential deal with Benjamin Netanyahu. The report also describes widespread criticism of the GHF aid system, which the U.N. and other humanitarian groups say violates humanitarian principles, against the backdrop of mass displacement and famine conditions in Gaza.

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 15 Palestinians in Gaza, including eight women and one child, while shootings near aid distribution points and supply trucks killed another 20 people. The deaths occurred as Hamas consulted Palestinian factions over an Egyptian- and Qatari-mediated ceasefire proposal, following Donald Trump’s claim that Israel had agreed to a 60-day truce. Gaza’s Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll had exceeded 57,000, while Israel’s military denied deliberately firing at civilians seeking aid and said it was investigating reports of harm.

Extreme summer heat is worsening already desperate conditions for displaced Palestinians in Gaza, where families living in cramped tents lack electricity, clean water and adequate sanitation. Fuel shortages have left only about 40% of drinking-water production facilities operating, while up to 93% of households face water shortages, according to the UN. Residents describe rationing water, struggling to keep children cool, and coping with mosquitoes, garbage and disease risks. Aid agencies warn that without fuel entering Gaza, water systems may collapse and children could die of thirst.

Russia is intensifying offensives in Sumy and Donetsk as both sides try to improve their positions before autumn. Ukrainian forces are absorbing attacks in Sumy to prevent experienced Russian troops from reinforcing the eastern front, while Russia seeks to encircle Pokrovsk and establish a foothold in Dnipropetrovsk. Ukraine faces serious shortages of soldiers and supplies, and some commanders criticize the losses incurred by the strategy. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is seeking stronger US sanctions, continued weapons support and backing for a European-led reassurance force, while Donald Trump’s position remains a key factor in Moscow’s calculations and the prospects for ceasefire negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia had returned at least 20 bodies of its own soldiers during recent exchanges, despite initially identifying them as Ukrainian. He characterized the incident as evidence of Russian disorganization and criticized Moscow's handling of its troops. Ukraine and Russia agreed to exchange up to 6,000 bodies each during peace talks in Istanbul, but Kyiv has questioned whether the process allows sufficient time to verify identities. Zelenskyy also accused Russia of using negotiations to placate the United States and avoid further sanctions while continuing the war. He discussed the impact of the Iran-Israel conflict, Iranian and North Korean military cooperation with Russia, Russian use of Shahed drones and the Oreshnik missile, and called for urgent sanctions against companies involved in its production. Ukraine is seeking German funding and Western support for domestic interceptor production and hopes to purchase additional Patriot systems.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the surge in global oil prices following Israeli strikes on Iran could increase Russia’s oil revenue and strengthen its war effort. He said he would raise concerns with Donald Trump about maintaining U.S. aid to Ukraine, including the diversion of interceptor missiles to Israel, and criticized the non-delivery of an Israeli-promised Barak-8 air-defense system. Zelenskyy also said a European reassurance force could enable Ukraine to consider territorial compromises, but that it requires a U.S. security backstop. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine continued exchanging soldiers’ remains after Istanbul talks, while both sides reported ongoing drone attacks and Russia claimed additional territorial gains in Donetsk. The talks produced no progress toward a ceasefire, with the sides’ positions remaining sharply opposed.

Russian drone and missile attacks killed one person and injured at least eight others in Odesa and Kyiv. The strikes damaged a maternity hospital, residential buildings and warehouses, while falling drone debris caused fires in several Kyiv districts. Residents sheltered in metro stations during the hours-long bombardment. The attacks followed Russia’s launch of nearly 500 drones and came amid escalating strikes, prisoner exchanges and stalled peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Security Service carried out Operation Spiderweb, a covert drone assault on four Russian airfields that Kyiv says severely damaged or destroyed more than 40 aircraft, including strategic bombers used to attack Ukraine. The operation involved smuggling FPV drones into Russia in wooden containers and striking targets thousands of kilometres from Ukraine. Russia confirmed damage and fires at some bases but disputed the scale of the losses, and the claims could not be independently verified. The attack was intended to reduce Russia’s missile-strike capacity, boost Ukrainian morale, and demonstrate Kyiv’s broader strategy of using surprise and relatively inexpensive operations to offset Russia’s military advantages, as peace talks stall and Russian bombardments intensify.

Ukraine will send a delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to Istanbul for renewed direct peace talks with Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv was working to protect its independence and people, while Ukrainian officials continued to seek Moscow’s promised memorandum on ending the war. The announcement came after Russia launched 472 drones and seven missiles at Ukraine, including a strike on a military training unit that killed at least 12 Ukrainian service members and injured more than 60. Ukraine reported drone strikes deep inside Russia, while Russia claimed the capture of Oleksiivka in the Sumy region, where evacuations have expanded amid a Russian offensive.

Ukraine and Russia began the first phase of a prisoner exchange agreed during talks in Istanbul, each returning 390 soldiers and civilians. Further releases were expected to complete a 1,000-for-1,000 exchange, the largest of the war and the biggest involving Ukrainian civilians. The swap provided a rare point of cooperation but did not produce a ceasefire, as fighting and strikes continued across Ukraine. Kyiv and Moscow remain divided over territorial withdrawals, Western arms supplies, mobilization and the terms of a temporary truce, while Russia said it would provide a draft peace proposal after the exchange.

Ukraine accepted U.S.-backed direct talks with Russia in Turkey and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy challenged Vladimir Putin to attend, but Putin did not appear and the resulting technical meeting produced little progress. Kyiv is trying to convince Donald Trump that Russia is responsible for stalling diplomacy while preserving U.S. and European support, including possible sanctions and continued arms deliveries. Russia continues to demand territorial concessions, military neutralization and abandonment of NATO ambitions. Meanwhile, Ukraine faces worsening manpower and ammunition shortages as Russian forces intensify operations in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson and may prepare a summer offensive. A planned exchange of 1,000 prisoners offers a limited confidence-building measure, but Ukraine’s ability to hold the front and negotiate from a stronger position depends heavily on further Western support.

Ukraine and around 40 supporting countries are advancing a special international tribunal to prosecute senior Russian leaders for the crime of aggression—the planning and execution of the invasion of Ukraine. The tribunal, being developed jointly by Ukraine and the Council of Europe and funded by participating countries, is intended to address a gap in the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction because Russia is not a party to the relevant aggression provisions. It could target roughly 20 to 30 high-ranking officials, including Vladimir Putin, although his immunity as a sitting head of state could delay proceedings until he leaves office. The tribunal may conduct trials in absentia, subject to retrial rights, and supporters hope it will begin operating in early 2026.

Ukraine's proposal to grant U.S. access to its critical mineral resources evolved from Volodymyr Zelenskyy's 2024 victory plan into a signed reconstruction and investment agreement after months of conflict. Negotiations deteriorated when Ukraine rejected an initial draft demanding extensive mineral rights without security guarantees, culminating in the February Oval Office confrontation and a temporary U.S. suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing. Talks improved after Ukraine accepted a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Jeddah, while both sides revised the minerals agreement hundreds of times. A private meeting between Donald Trump and Zelenskyy at Pope Francis' funeral helped unlock the final deal, which establishes a joint investment fund, provides for shared governance, and does not require Ukraine to repay past U.S. aid. Although it contains no explicit security guarantee, the agreement is viewed by Kyiv as a strategic partnership and a possible framework for future American military support.

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals agreement that would create a jointly managed reconstruction investment fund covering new projects involving rare earth elements, lithium, titanium, uranium, oil and natural gas. Ukraine will retain ownership and control over its resources, contribute half of future profits from government-owned resources, and receive U.S. funding, equipment and potentially increased investment. The fund will reinvest proceeds for its first 10 years, and the deal includes no repayment obligation for previous U.S. aid. Ukraine hopes the agreement will preserve long-term American military and political support, while Washington views it as a signal of continued commitment to Ukraine and a potential means of reducing reliance on China for critical minerals. The agreement still requires ratification by Ukraine's parliament, and the full text has not been made public.

Danylo Khudia, 17, and Alyona Zavadska, 16, were planning to marry and begin an independent life in Kyiv when a Russian missile struck Khudia’s home on April 24, 2025. Khudia and both of his parents, Viktoria and Oleh, were killed, while his sister survived. The attack killed 13 people in a residential neighborhood with no obvious military target. Alyona struggled to cope with the loss, recalling their close relationship, shared plans and his support as she battled an eating disorder. She said goodbye at his funeral as Russia’s war continued despite international efforts to pursue peace talks.

Sumy is trying to resume daily life after Russian missile strikes on 13 April 2025 killed 35 people and injured more than 100, making it the deadliest attack on Ukrainian civilians that year. Residents, including a paralyzed security guard, an injured café worker and a teenager who rescued passengers from a shattered bus, described the human cost of the attack. Emergency workers and hospital staff said repeated strikes have made danger a constant reality, while residents expressed deep skepticism about US-brokered ceasefire talks and fears that Russia is preparing a new offensive.

Russia's full-scale invasion and the mobilisation of Ukrainian men have created severe labour shortages, prompting women to enter jobs traditionally dominated by men, including tractor driving, coal mining and excavator operation. Government training programs and employer initiatives are helping women diversify their skills, while businesses say they increasingly depend on female workers to keep industry and reconstruction moving. The shift is changing workplace attitudes and challenging traditional gender stereotypes, though women continue to face pressure as their partners serve at the front.

Ukrainian officials and military analysts expect Russia to launch a broad spring offensive across parts of the front line to improve Moscow's leverage in ceasefire negotiations. Russian forces have intensified reconnaissance and attacks in Kursk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, while rebuilding units and supplies around Pokrovsk and other strategic areas. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and G7 officials argue that Russia is using negotiations to buy time and seize more territory; Russian officials maintain that their forces are advancing and hold the initiative. Talks brokered by the United States have made little progress after Moscow rejected a proposed 30-day ceasefire and attached far-reaching conditions to a possible Black Sea truce.

A proposed 30-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire depends on Moscow accepting the U.S. initiative, but the two sides remain far apart on core issues. Russia demands that Ukraine abandon NATO ambitions, limit its military, accept Russian control of four partially occupied regions, receive sanctions relief and address what Moscow calls the root causes of the conflict. Ukraine seeks binding international security guarantees, continued military support, no further territorial concessions, and the return of deported children and detained civilians. Territorial control, the future size and alliances of Ukraine’s armed forces, and the presence of NATO-linked peacekeepers are major red lines, making a lasting peace agreement difficult despite U.S. pressure for concessions.

Ukraine has retreated from most of the territory it seized in Russia’s Kursk region, retaining only about 30% of its initial gains after months of Russian pressure, including the deployment of North Korean troops. The loss of Sudzha has weakened Kyiv’s hoped-for bargaining position in ceasefire negotiations and prompted renewed criticism from Ukrainian soldiers and commanders who believe the withdrawal came too late. Ukrainian forces are attempting to escape through disrupted supply routes and establish defenses near the Sumy border as Russia consolidates its gains. The setback comes as Vladimir Putin signals conditional support for a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire.

Military chiefs from more than 30 countries are meeting in Paris to develop a possible international force that would deter renewed Russian aggression after a Ukraine ceasefire. France and the United Kingdom are seeking contributions of troops, weapons and other capabilities, potentially including forces at key infrastructure sites, rapid weapons deployments, air support and Black Sea patrols. Major unresolved issues include the force’s size and location, the response to a Russian ceasefire violation, and whether the United States will provide a backstop. Ukrainian officials cautiously support the initiative but say foreign troops alone will not provide sufficient security without Western weapons and support for Ukraine’s own defense industry.