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More than four years after Russian forces launched their attack on Kyiv through Belarus, Ukraine is continuing to reinforce its border with its northern neighbor, keeping the area heavily fortified against any potential threat. What was once a busy border crossing has become a restricted zone filled with landmines and closed to civilians. Along the 1,084-kilometre border, roads are covered with anti-drone netting, while razor wire and rows of concrete anti-tank barriers, known as "dragon's teeth," line large sections of the frontier. An Associated Press team visited parts of the northern border earlier this month after tensions rose between the two countries. Ukraine had asked Belarus to remove Russian communications relay stations installed to extend the range of drones used in attacks on Ukrainian cities. According to Ukrainian officials, Belarus complied with the request, helping ease tensions between the two countries. Although Ukraine says it has seen no signs of a Russian troop buildup inside Belarus, officials insist that strengthening the border remains a key security priority. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly said his country's forces will not join the war unless Belarus itself is attacked. However, residents living near the border say they remain concerned that Belarus could become more directly involved in Russia's war against Ukraine. For many local people, the extensive fortifications serve as a reminder of the early days of the war while also providing reassurance that Ukraine is preparing for any future threat. Ukrainian border guards continue to patrol the area around the clock using armored vehicles, drones and advanced surveillance systems. Officials say work to reinforce the border will continue, describing Belarus—Russia's closest military ally—as a long-term security concern.

Ukraine pressed ahead with its war effort against Russia on Wednesday under a new military leadership after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy overhauled the country’s top defence command following days of political turmoil. The changes came after Zelenskyy dismissed Commander-in-Chief Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, responding to mounting public pressure and criticism over the military leadership. The reshuffle also saw Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov leave office, marking a significant overhaul of Ukraine’s defence establishment. The leadership changes, announced late Tuesday, followed a week of political tensions that drew attention both at home and abroad, with Russian officials publicly welcoming the developments. Maj Gen Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, was appointed as the new commander-in-chief. Considered part of a younger generation of Ukrainian military leaders, Drapatyi first gained prominence in 2014 during Russia’s annexation of Crimea and has since built a reputation for his leadership on the battlefield. Zelenskyy said the new military leadership has been tasked with presenting an updated defence strategy that includes continued reform of the army’s corps structure, faster delivery of weapons and drones, stronger air defence capabilities, and a clearer mobilisation plan. The future role of former defence minister Fedorov remains uncertain. The 35-year-old, widely credited with advancing Ukraine’s drone technology, had reportedly been at odds with Syrskyi over military reforms. His dismissal prompted protests in Kyiv and several other cities, where demonstrators demanded his reinstatement and called for Syrskyi’s removal. Following the reshuffle, Zelenskyy said he had offered Fedorov a senior government position aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s technology sector, though it remains unclear whether the former minister has accepted the proposal. Fedorov had earlier indicated that he had received job offers from several international defence technology companies after leaving office. He welcomed Drapatyi’s appointment, describing it as a symbol of change and expressing hope that the new commander would strengthen Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression. Before his dismissal, Fedorov had publicly criticised Syrskyi, accusing him of obstructing military reforms and arguing that changes in the army’s leadership were necessary to sustain Ukraine’s resistance against Russia.

At a military cemetery in Kyiv, rows of crosses bear the words "Unknown Defender of Ukraine", each marked with an identification number and a note saying the identification process is still underway. Among them is one grave that now carries a photograph of Ihor Yalynych, a Ukrainian soldier who went missing in the Kharkiv region in 2022. After searching for four years, his children, Stanislav and Oleksandra Yalynych, were finally able to find and identify their father's burial place. The effort to identify thousands of soldiers killed in Russia's war is expected to continue for years, becoming one of the conflict's longest-lasting human tragedies. Many families are still waiting for confirmation, while some graves may never be identified. For much of the war, Ukraine had no dedicated place to bury unidentified soldiers. Their bodies remained in refrigerated storage while the country's national military cemetery was under construction. Even before the cemetery officially opened in January, the first unidentified soldiers were buried there in August. Today, more than 300 graves carry only numbers instead of names, with more burials continuing. "I was always close to my father, and losing him was very painful," said 21-year-old Oleksandra. "For four years, all I wanted was a place where I could come, sit with him and talk. Now I'm happy we found him." A father's final mission Ihor Yalynych was killed in eastern Ukraine in April 2022. He had served in the military since 2015, after fighting first broke out in eastern Ukraine and Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, he was serving with a brigade in eastern Ukraine. He safely completed his first combat mission and even sent photos to his son. But he never returned from the second. After weeks without contact, Stanislav posted online that his father was missing. Later, someone recognised Ihor in a photograph shared on a Russian Telegram channel showing nine dead Ukrainian soldiers lying side by side. Ukraine's National Police in the Kharkiv region confirmed to AP that an investigation is ongoing into the deaths of the group of Ukrainian soldiers whose bodies were found there in April 2022, as well as efforts to identify them. Although Ihor's body was recovered after Ukrainian forces retook the area in September 2022, his family spent four years dealing with official procedures, including DNA testing, before they could reclaim his remains. Stanislav said the process was delayed because his father's case file was reportedly sent to police in Mykolaiv region, where Ihor was originally from, and remained unprocessed for more than two years. In a written response to AP, Mykolaiv police did not comment on the family's claim that the file had been lost or delayed. They only said no criminal complaint had been filed regarding Ihor's identification. Because of the missing file, Stanislav said he was only able to provide a DNA sample about six months ago. The match was confirmed two months later. State keeps the flags until families are found During military funerals in Ukraine, the national flag covering a soldier's coffin is normally folded and presented to the family. For unidentified soldiers, however, there is no family member to receive it. Veterans Affairs Minister Natalia Kalmykova said the state accepts and keeps each flag until the soldier is identified. She said honouring those who die defending the country is important not only for the fallen but also for those left behind, reminding Ukrainians of the price paid for their country's independence and democratic future. Kalmykova said three of the first unidentified soldiers buried at the cemetery have since been identified. She said one reason so many soldiers remain unidentified is that those who joined the military during the early years of the conflict were not required to provide DNA samples. Ukraine only created a DNA database later, and about half of the country's troops have now submitted samples, according to a senior military official who was not authorised to speak publicly. When no DNA sample exists, identification depends on close relatives providing samples. Many relatives, however, remain in Russian-occupied areas, have left the country, are estranged from the soldier or cannot be located. Since Russia's full-scale invasion began, more than 40,000 DNA samples from unidentified bodies have been registered, said Ruslan Abbasov, deputy director of the State Scientific Research Forensic Center under Ukraine's Interior Ministry. Most have now been matched with some of the 170,000 DNA samples collected from relatives. When DNA samples are unavailable, investigators sometimes search a soldier's home or personal belongings to obtain genetic material. Each unidentified body is buried with a unique identification number placed inside the coffin, marked on the outside and engraved on the grave's cross. Officials maintain a registry linking every number to the corresponding body, allowing graves to be located once a DNA match is confirmed. A long process that will continue after the war Bodies arrive from battlefields and through exchanges with Russia. Since the invasion began, Ukraine has brought home 24,805 bodies, according to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Although many bodies are found carrying passports, military cards or driver's licences, DNA testing remains essential because investigators cannot be certain those documents belong to the deceased. Forensic medical examiner Maksym Paziura said identification is often made more difficult because the remains of several people can sometimes be mixed together in a single bag. Most bodies are also in advanced stages of decomposition. His office in the Kyiv region now processes between 15 and 20 bodies every day, storing them in refrigerated facilities until they are identified or buried. He said the workload has increased about five times compared with before the war. "Even if the war ends, we will still have a huge amount of work," Paziura said. "Identification is a difficult and lengthy process that will continue long after the fighting stops." For families, confirming a loved one's death is not only emotionally important. Without official identification, relatives cannot settle inheritance matters, remarry or receive government compensation provided to families of fallen soldiers. Abbasov noted that countries in the Western Balkans are still identifying victims decades after their wars ended, adding that Ukraine is likely to face a similar challenge. For Stanislav Yalynych, placing his father's photograph on the grave finally brought some peace. "Now it won't only be us who know our father is buried there," he said. "People stop and ask about him. It means his sacrifice was not in vain, and he will be remembered."

Ukraine is increasingly using midrange drones to strike Russian supply routes far behind the front lines, a strategy military commanders say is disrupting logistics, slowing Russian advances and helping Ukrainian forces regain ground. From an underground command centre in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, drone operators monitor live thermal images of roads in Russian-held territory. Once they spot a military vehicle, they guide the drone toward its target, aiming to destroy fuel, ammunition and troop supplies before they reach the battlefield. "Our mission is to cut logistics," said Kat, commander of Ukraine's K-2 Brigade. "If we stop their supply lines, frontline troops are left without food, ammunition, batteries and night-vision equipment. That's how we weaken them." The soldiers interviewed by The Associated Press used only their military call signs, following Ukrainian military rules. By repeatedly targeting roads used to transport fuel, ammunition and reinforcements, Ukrainian commanders say they have made Russia's supply operations slower, more expensive and less reliable. They believe this has helped slow Russian offensives while allowing Ukraine to launch counterattacks and carry out strikes in Russian-occupied Crimea. Until recently, this area was difficult for Ukraine to reach. Frontline drones lacked the necessary range, while long-range drones were reserved for strategic targets hundreds of kilometres away. That left a large area where Russian forces could move supplies with little threat. Now, fixed-wing midrange drones equipped with Starlink satellite communications have filled that gap, turning Russian supply routes into active targets. "They are putting constant pressure on Russian logistics and making it harder for Russia to keep some parts of the front supplied," said Samuel Bendett, a researcher at the Center for Naval Analyses. Bendett said Ukraine will need to maintain this pressure while Russia develops ways to counter the drones. Although he expects Moscow to adapt over time, he said Russia's larger military can absorb greater losses for now. "The key question is whether Ukraine can keep up this pressure in the coming weeks and months," he said. The K-2 Brigade operates from what looks like an ordinary office, while drones are assembled in workshops and launched from hidden locations near the front. Inside the command room, drone pilots dressed in civilian clothes work at desks covered with coffee cups, energy drink cans and electronic devices. Their computer screens display satellite maps and target locations rather than office documents. In May alone, the brigade launched 800 midrange drones, successfully hitting their intended targets with 650 of them. The drones are launched more than 200 kilometres away, after which pilots in Kharkiv take control. They can guide the aircraft for up to four hours and more than 100 kilometres behind Russian lines. Some operators are flying drones over towns they once called home before Russia's invasion forced them to leave. They now search those same streets for Russian troops, military vehicles and ammunition depots. The brigade even keeps a scoreboard tracking the performance of its 10 drone teams. The current record stands at 17 successful strikes in a row. One of the unit's top drone operators, 20-year-old Pharaon, said his gaming experience helped prepare him for the job. "When I was younger, I spent a lot of time playing Counter-Strike," he said. "It's similar in some ways because you're competing to destroy enemy targets." Military experts say Ukraine's campaign gained momentum earlier this year after SpaceX blocked Russian forces from using Starlink satellite services without authorisation. The move disrupted Russian drone operations while giving Ukraine a technological advantage. Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Eurasia Program, described the Starlink restriction as one of the year's most significant developments on the battlefield. Pharaon said the improvement has been dramatic. "Now, eight out of every 10 missions are successful," he said. "A few months ago, it was the opposite." The K-2 Brigade mainly uses the Dart drone, an inexpensive aircraft made from lightweight materials including wood, polystyrene and 3D-printed parts. It is mainly used to attack Russian supply convoys. Larger drones, such as the Hornet, carry heavier explosives and are used against bridges and other infrastructure. Before every mission, crews inspect batteries, cameras, flight controls and the Starlink communication system to ensure the drone remains connected throughout the flight. The drones are then taken to concealed launch sites near the front line, where soldiers prepare them for takeoff using catapult launchers. Russia was initially caught off guard when Ukraine expanded the campaign about three months ago. It has since increased mobile air defence teams, machine-gun positions and drone interception units, but Ukrainian commanders say the speed and scale of the attacks have allowed them to stay ahead. Bendett said Russia also faces coordination problems between military units, making it harder to respond quickly when drones are detected. Ukraine has focused many of its attacks on key highways linking the occupied cities of Mariupol, Berdyansk, Melitopol and Crimea, which are major supply routes for Russian forces in southern and eastern Ukraine. According to Ukraine's military intelligence, repeated drone attacks have made parts of the land corridor connecting Russia to Crimea increasingly dangerous, disrupting the movement of fuel, ammunition and reinforcements. Pharaon said Russia is now expanding its anti-aircraft defences and deploying more interception teams near major cities. In response, Ukrainian drone operators plan routes that avoid known Russian air defence positions. During flights, they sometimes see anti-aircraft fire below as the drones continue toward their targets. Lee said Russia has also been testing electronic warfare systems designed to interfere with Starlink since 2024, but so far those efforts have had only limited success. "I think they have achieved some success, but we'll have to wait and see how effective it becomes," he said.

On a granite cliff overlooking a river about two hours west of Kyiv, hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts gathered for Ukraine's largest climbing and music festival, where adventure, live performances and community spirit provided a brief escape from the realities of war. Held last week in the Zhytomyr region, the Stoned Climbers festival brought together more than 500 participants for rock climbing, camping, swimming and stand-up paddleboarding during the day, while live bands and DJs entertained crowds in the evenings. Despite the festive atmosphere, reminders of the ongoing war were never far away. Visitors received repeated air raid alerts on their phones, soldiers on leave quietly mingled with the crowd, and organizers donated all proceeds from this year's event to support Ukraine's Azov Brigade. Unlike last year, however, no Russian drones or missiles flew over the campsite on their way to Kyiv. The volunteer-led festival was launched in 2023 by around 15 friends inspired by the climbing culture of Yosemite National Park in the United States, where rock climbing has long been associated with camping, outdoor living and a close connection with nature. Festival co-founder Dmytro Isaienko said they wanted to show that climbing is more than a competitive sport. "We realized climbing could be much more than just a sport. It's a lifestyle connected to nature, camping and the mountains," said the 39-year-old. The founders also wanted to make climbing more accessible rather than something only for elite athletes. Their first festival attracted around 150 people. This year, attendance grew to more than 500, most of them beginners or amateur climbers. Isaienko said the festival has taken on greater meaning during the war by giving people a chance to reconnect, learn new skills and take a break from the pressures of daily life. "People need to step away from the war for a while, leave Kyiv and spend time together," he said. At the climbing site, instructors helped first-time participants put on harnesses, prepare their equipment and make their way up the 25-meter-high granite wall. Whenever someone reached the top, fellow climbers and spectators applauded their achievement. Among the newcomers was 21-year-old Liliia Karpach, who traveled from Ukraine's western Lviv region to attend her first Stoned Climbers festival. She said she wanted to climb on real rock again and meet members of the climbing community. Karpach described climbing as both a physical and mental challenge and encouraged others to give it a try. "If you're nervous about coming alone, bring some friends. Even if none of you has climbed before, you'll still enjoy the experience together," she said. Instructor Andrii Lamei said helping beginners overcome their fears is one of the most satisfying parts of the festival. While guiding a young woman through her first climb, he encouraged her to pause and enjoy the view after she successfully reached the top. "Look around. Enjoy the moment. You made it," he shouted. Lamei said climbing teaches people how to cope with stress and remain calm in difficult situations. Although he dreams of climbing in places such as Yosemite and Norway, wartime travel restrictions prevent most Ukrainian men from leaving the country. "I'd love to visit Yosemite and Norway's mountains, but I can't. Maybe this has taught me to appreciate what we have here," he said. Isaienko believes that is exactly why events like Stoned Climbers are important. Even as the war continues, he hopes the growing climbing community shows that people can still build new traditions and enjoy life together. "This is a festival for everyone, including those who have never climbed before," he said. As more first-time climbers reached the top of the cliffs to loud applause, the festival reflected the steady growth of Ukraine's outdoor climbing community despite the challenges of war.

A Ukrainian drone strike hit an oil terminal in Russia's St. Petersburg on Saturday, Russian officials said, as Kyiv continued its long-range attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure. Ukraine has been targeting Russian oil facilities almost daily in recent months, a campaign aimed at disrupting fuel supplies and increasing pressure on the Kremlin as the war enters its fifth year. St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov said the attack struck the Kirovsky district on the Baltic Sea. He also said Russian air defenses intercepted 72 Ukrainian drones over the city and surrounding areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the operation was part of Ukraine's "long-range sanctions" against Russia. In a post on Telegram, he said Ukrainian forces struck oil facilities at the port and also hit a military target on Kronstadt Island, located off the coast of St. Petersburg. "The Ukrainian defense forces hit the port's oil infrastructure, which helps finance Russia's war, and also struck Kronstadt, an important military target," Zelenskyy said. The Kirovsky district was also targeted in June, shortly before Russia hosted the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Ukraine also continued attacks on Crimea, the peninsula Russia annexed in 2014. Moscow-installed Governor Sergei Aksyonov said a Ukrainian strike on Saturday killed one person and injured two others, including a 10-year-old child. Repeated attacks have forced local authorities to suspend gasoline sales to civilians. Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Ukraine's strikes on Russia's energy facilities as "not critical" and has insisted Moscow will continue the war until its objectives are achieved. He has argued that the attacks are intended to shift attention away from Ukraine's battlefield losses. However, military analysts say Russia's advances have slowed in recent months. On Friday, Putin visited Russia's military headquarters overseeing the war in Ukraine, where he received a report claiming Russian forces had captured the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka after weeks of heavy fighting. He described the development as an important step toward advancing on the nearby cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, two of Ukraine's remaining strongholds in the Donetsk region. Putin called the capture of Kostyantynivka, a major transport and industrial center, a development of "major strategic importance." Ukraine denied the claim. General Staff spokesperson Maj. Andriy Kovalev told local media that Russian forces had not taken control of the city and accused Moscow of spreading "outright disinformation." The ongoing drone campaign has increasingly brought the war into Russian territory. Local media reported that the border city of Belgorod was left almost entirely without electricity on Saturday following overnight Ukrainian drone attacks. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities said eight people, including two children, were injured after Russian strikes hit residential buildings in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region on Saturday.  

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed growing fuel shortages caused by repeated Ukrainian strikes on Russia's oil facilities, saying the problem is "not critical" as he vowed to continue the war until Moscow achieves its objectives. Despite increasing disruptions to Russia's fuel supply, Putin has rejected ceasefire proposals and insisted that military operations will continue. He has described Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy infrastructure as an attempt to divert attention from Kyiv's battlefield setbacks, although military analysts say Russia's advance has slowed in recent months. His remarks came as Russia launched one of its deadliest attacks on the Ukrainian capital in recent months. An 11-hour overnight barrage on Kyiv into Thursday morning killed at least 30 people. Since March, Ukraine has reportedly carried out more than 50 attacks on oil refineries and energy facilities in Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea. Ukrainian officials say the campaign is aimed at increasing pressure on Moscow to end the war. The attacks have also brought the impact of the conflict closer to ordinary Russians, challenging the Kremlin's long-standing message that daily life inside Russia remains largely unaffected by the war. According to Chris Weafer, CEO of consultancy Macro-Advisory, about one-third of Russia's oil refining capacity has been disrupted. He said many of the damaged facilities will require costly and lengthy repairs. One of Moscow's largest oil refineries has been hit twice despite heavy air defense around the capital. The latest strike on June 18 caused a major fire and reportedly damaged key equipment that may not be fully repaired until the end of the year. Russian government data show gasoline production has fallen by about 17% to around 850,000 barrels per day. Fuel rationing has been introduced in several regions, with motorists waiting in long queues at filling stations. The worst shortages have been reported in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. At times, authorities have suspended gasoline sales to private consumers altogether. At a government meeting last weekend, Putin acknowledged Russia was going through a "difficult period" but said the shortages were temporary. He pledged to speed up repairs to damaged energy facilities, said Russia could import gasoline if necessary, and promised to increase production of air defense systems to counter future Ukrainian strikes. Putin accused Ukraine of trying to create divisions within Russian society and force Moscow into peace talks on terms favorable to Kyiv. "We will not give them that chance," he said. Although Putin insisted the attacks on Russian oil facilities have had no impact on the front line, Western military analysts say Ukrainian strikes on Russian military supply routes have complicated logistics and slowed Moscow's offensive, leaving much of the battlefield at a stalemate. Putin maintained that Russian forces are still making gains along the roughly 1,000-kilometre front line. The Russian leader has also rejected repeated calls by Ukraine and its Western allies for a ceasefire, arguing it would only allow Ukrainian forces time to regroup. He has made any truce conditional on Ukraine withdrawing from the remaining parts of the Donetsk region under its control, a demand Kyiv has rejected. Putin also insists that any peace agreement must prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, reduce its military capabilities and guarantee protection for the Russian language and culture. Putin also claimed Ukraine had privately proposed limiting the fighting to the four regions that Russia annexed but does not fully control: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. He said he rejected the proposal because it would allow Ukrainian forces to reinforce those areas. The Kremlin said the proposal was delivered through confidential channels, but Ukrainian officials have not publicly confirmed such an offer. Putin also dismissed Ukraine's proposal for both sides to stop launching long-range strikes inside each other's territory, arguing that Russia's attacks are far more powerful and destructive. Russia's latest assault on Kyiv again struck residential areas, despite Moscow saying it was targeting military facilities. In contrast, most Ukrainian strikes inside Russia have focused on oil refineries, weapons factories and other military-related infrastructure. According to the United Nations, more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than four years ago.  

Ukraine continued its large-scale drone attacks on Russia overnight, triggering a fire at a major oil refinery in the country's south and leaving at least two people dead, Russian officials said on Sunday. The latest strikes are part of Kyiv's strategy to target Russia's fuel and military supply network, aiming to weaken Moscow's war effort and increase pressure on the Kremlin to negotiate. Russian authorities said debris from intercepted Ukrainian drones caused a fire at the oil refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani, located in the Krasnodar region, east of Russian-occupied Crimea. Regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said one person was killed in Slavyansk, while another was injured in a nearby village after falling drone debris. Images and videos shared on Russian social media appeared to show thick black smoke rising from the refinery, although The Associated Press could not immediately verify the footage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian forces carried out the attack on the Slavyansk refinery. He also claimed that another refinery in Russia's Yaroslavl region, about 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, was struck during the overnight operation. "Tonight, our 'long-range sanctions' reached two oil refineries in Russia," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. "Each strike reduces the resources that fuel the Russian war machine and brings us one step closer to peace." Ukraine has significantly expanded its long-range drone campaign in recent months, focusing on Russian energy facilities and military industries. Kyiv says the attacks are intended to reduce Russia's income from oil exports and disrupt supplies supporting its invasion, now in its fifth year. The Slavyansk refinery is one of southern Russia's largest, processing nearly 4 million tons of crude oil annually, according to the operator's website. It also produces petroleum products for export through Black Sea ports, including fuel oil, naphtha and marine fuel. Russian authorities did not immediately confirm Zelenskyy's claim about the strike in the Yaroslavl region. However, regional Governor Mikhail Evraev said several roads linking Moscow and Yaroslavl were temporarily closed because of what he described as a Ukrainian drone attack. Russia's civil aviation agency also temporarily suspended operations at Yaroslavl Airport and several airports in southern and western Russia overnight. In Russia's Belgorod border region, Ukrainian drone strikes killed one person and injured another, acting Governor Alexander Shuvayev said. Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses destroyed 213 Ukrainian drones overnight over Russian territory, occupied Crimea, and the Black and Azov seas. Meanwhile, Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 142 long-range drones and eight missiles overnight. It said Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 125 drones and seven missiles.

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia overnight, with Russian authorities claiming their air defenses shot down 660 drones across 12 regions, the Russia-controlled Crimean Peninsula, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov on Friday. The attack appeared to be one of the biggest drone offensives by Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than four years ago. Russia previously reported intercepting 556 Ukrainian drones in its largest recorded attack on May 17 this year. Ukraine has increasingly used long-range drones to hit targets far inside Russian territory, including oil and energy facilities, in an effort to weaken Russia's military operations. Western officials and analysts say the strikes have disrupted fuel supplies and military logistics, putting additional pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian authorities released few details about the overnight attack. The Russian Defense Ministry did not say which sites were targeted or whether any major damage was caused. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said its drones struck Russian navy vessels and air defense radar systems in Kerch, a key port city in Crimea. According to the agency, the targets included the reconnaissance and mine-laying ships Volga and Vyatka, as well as the cargo-passenger ferry Petropavlovsk. The SBU claimed the strikes triggered a large fire, although the claim could not be independently verified. The latest drone offensive came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X that he had ordered a "40-day influence operation," which is believed to involve stepping up attacks to pressure Russia into ending the war after months of stalled US-led peace efforts. Recent successful drone strikes, including attacks on targets in Moscow and St. Petersburg, have boosted morale in Ukraine. Zelenskyy also said he secured fresh promises of military support from leaders at the recent G7 summit, including US President Donald Trump. He said the additional assistance would strengthen Ukraine's efforts to push Russia toward peace negotiations. A NATO summit scheduled for next month is also expected to discuss further military support for Ukraine.

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations began their first full day of summit talks on Tuesday with major global crises at the top of the agenda, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and efforts to stabilize the Middle East. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined the discussions at the invitation of host nation France, as world leaders looked for ways to advance peace efforts in Ukraine and maintain momentum following a recent US-Iran agreement. The talks come after US President Donald Trump announced a deal aimed at ending the 3½-month conflict between the United States and Iran. The crisis in the Middle East has dominated international attention in recent weeks, pushing the Ukraine war lower on the global agenda. Trump said he held productive phone conversations on Sunday with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin and indicated that Washington would now focus more closely on efforts to end the Ukraine conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron said he would urge Trump to maintain support for Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia to move toward a peace agreement. Just hours before the summit opened, Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at major Ukrainian cities. The attacks killed at least 11 people and damaged several sites, including a religious landmark. A key session on Tuesday focused on ending regional conflicts and promoting stability in the Middle East. Leaders from Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates were invited to join those discussions. Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration over the slow progress in efforts to end the war in Ukraine. During his presidential campaign, he said he could resolve the conflict quickly, but later acknowledged that reaching a settlement has proven more difficult than expected. Macron stressed that any lasting peace process must involve both Ukraine and Russia, with European and American participation. Meanwhile, Ukraine officially launched negotiations on Monday to join the European Union, beginning what is expected to be a lengthy process requiring major political and institutional reforms. Kyiv views EU membership as an important safeguard for its future after the war. Ukraine also seeks membership in NATO, but the Trump administration has ruled out that possibility while the conflict continues.   The summit is also taking place against the backdrop of recent tensions between Trump and several European leaders over US military action against Iran. Differences emerged after Washington moved ahead without consulting key allies, including France, Britain, Germany and Italy. Despite those disagreements, leaders in Evian appeared eager to work together, particularly as they seek to reduce the economic impact of higher energy prices caused by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said recent developments in the Middle East were encouraging, noting that oil prices had fallen and stock markets had responded positively. Ahead of the summit, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, joined by Canada, issued a joint statement welcoming the US-Iran agreement and calling it a diplomatic breakthrough. The countries urged rapid implementation of the deal to allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments. Macron said France and its partners stand ready to help restore safe navigation through the strait, while France and Britain continue to support plans for a maritime security mission in the region. Trump, however, suggested that a large international military deployment may not be necessary, although he welcomed limited support from allied countries. In addition to the Ukraine and Middle East discussions, Trump’s schedule on Tuesday includes meetings with Qatar’s emir and the president of the UAE, followed by a cultural event and a dinner with fellow G7 leaders. The G7 comprises France, the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom. Several non-member countries, including Brazil, India, Kenya and South Korea, were also invited to participate in selected discussions as partner nations.