Warren Murray

Zelenskyy pressed allies for 300 Patriot missiles to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses over winter while supporting a new European-built Freyja missile shield. France pledged Rafale jets and additional air defense units, and the UK agreed to join an EU support loan enabling further weapons procurement. Russia launched new missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv, causing damage and casualties. The EU and UK imposed coordinated sanctions on Russian intelligence agencies and cybercriminals linked to attacks across Europe, including attempts to disrupt Polish infrastructure and the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Ukraine’s prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko resigned amid expectations she will become ambassador to the US as President Zelenskyy signalled wider changes to senior law enforcement roles following a corruption scandal and political tensions. Ukrainian drone strikes hit multiple Russian targets, prompting Russia to halt shipping in the Sea of Azov. International allies meet in Paris to coordinate defence initiatives and counter Russia’s war effort, while tributes were paid to US senator Lindsey Graham after his death. Russian and Ukrainian strikes caused multiple casualties across several regions.