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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday awarded Elon Musk the country's Order of Freedom, one of Ukraine's highest state honors, for his "outstanding personal merits" in protecting human life and freedom and strengthening ties with the United States. Musk, founder of aerospace company SpaceX, has become one of the most influential and controversial private-sector figures in Ukraine's war effort. His decision to provide Ukraine with access to Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service, was crucial after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 and remains important to the country. Starlink is now deeply integrated into Ukraine's military operations, with troops relying on the satellite network to communicate and coordinate missions. Musk's decisions could also affect Ukraine's future military capabilities. While Starlink is available to Ukrainian forces in their own territory, including Russian-occupied areas, its use inside Russia has been restricted. Zelenskyy wants Musk to reconsider the restriction, saying it would help Ukrainian forces keep satellite links during longer-range drone attacks on Russian military and economic targets. Musk made no immediate comment on the award, which was announced through a presidential decree. Musk restricts Starlink use in Russia Starlink has been incorporated into Ukraine's drone operations, allowing operators to maintain connections with drones and guide them over longer distances. Ukraine's access to the service has been a key factor behind the early success of its medium-range drone campaign, which surprised Russian forces and disrupted their logistics earlier this year. The attacks have increased pressure on Russian supply routes in Crimea and helped give Ukrainian forces some battlefield momentum that they had not seen since their successful counteroffensives around Kherson and Kharkiv in late 2022. Earlier this year, SpaceX blocked unauthorized Starlink terminals used by Russian forces in occupied Ukrainian territory, further strengthening Ukraine's position. Musk's growing influence over Ukraine Musk is both an important partner for Kyiv and a potential source of vulnerability. As Starlink has become a key part of Ukraine's wartime communications, Musk and SpaceX have considerable influence over how the technology can be used. Zelenskyy has sought US assistance in persuading Musk to allow Ukraine to expand its use of Starlink beyond its borders. Zelenskyy said last week that Musk considers such a move a major and dangerous escalation. Musk's influence spills into politics A reported misunderstanding over whether SpaceX had approved Ukraine's use of Starlink for operations inside Russia contributed to tensions between Zelenskyy and then-Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was the government's main contact with Musk. Fedorov was dismissed in July as part of a wider government reshuffle. Zelenskyy said incorrect information from the Defense Ministry that SpaceX had approved the request contributed to an awkward exchange with US President Donald Trump, who accused the Ukrainian leader of misleading him. Zelenskyy did not say when the incident took place. He said last week that the incident contributed to "some of the steps" taken against Fedorov, without directly accusing him of deliberately giving false information. Fedorov's dismissal also underscored the growing political importance of Musk's role in Ukraine's war effort.  

European leaders joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Monday to mark the country’s Independence Day as Russia’s four-year invasion continues.Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with President Vladimir Putin seeking to bring Kyiv back under Moscow’s influence. Ukraine had overwhelmingly voted for independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The war has shown little major movement along the front line in recent months. Despite more than a year of US-led diplomatic efforts, there has been no clear breakthrough toward ending the conflict. Instead, Russia and Ukraine have stepped up long-range air attacks that have killed civilians and damaged critical infrastructure. European leaders show support for UkraineUK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, making his first foreign trip since taking office last month, joined nearly a dozen European leaders and other senior officials in Kyiv. European Council President Antonio Costa was among those attending the Independence Day events. “For Ukraine, independence is not an abstract idea. We defended it against all odds,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on social media, stressing the importance of having allies during difficult times. Burnham was scheduled to co-chair a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing,” a group of countries supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia. The leaders of France and Germany were expected to join the meeting online. The visiting leaders brought promises of additional military and financial support for Ukraine. Burnham was also expected to announce that the UK government had agreed to let defense company MBDA share classified information about British components used in the SCALP long-range missile. The move could help France and Ukraine move forward with plans to produce the missile locally in Ukraine. SCALP is the French version of Britain’s Storm Shadow missile. Both weapons use technology developed jointly by France and Britain. Ukraine has depended heavily on NATO members for military support as it fights Russia’s larger armed forces. Relations with the United States, however, have become more complicated under President Donald Trump. Russia, meanwhile, has received support from North Korea and China. Both sides have increasingly used long-range attacks to damage each other’s economies, disrupt military supplies and weaken public morale. Ukrainian drones have repeatedly targeted Russia’s important oil industry, contributing to fuel shortages. Ukraine has also carried out attacks linked to Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries. Three teenagers killed in Russian cityThree teenagers were killed and six children wounded in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar during Ukrainian drone attacks, Russia’s children’s rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova said Monday. The attacks targeted several warehouses operated by Ozon for a third consecutive day, according to Russian officials and the company. Ozon, one of Russia’s biggest online retailers, said a major fire broke out at one of its logistics facilities near Krasnodar following an overnight attack. A drone also struck the grounds of an Ozon logistics center in the southern region of Adygeya, regional Governor Murat Kumpilov said. The company, however, said the warehouse there was not damaged. Overall, four Ozon facilities appeared to have been targeted. Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 351 Ukrainian drones overnight across eight Russian regions, as well as Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, and areas of the Azov and Black seas. The ministry also said Russian forces continued overnight attacks on Ukrainian ports and vessels carrying supplies for Ukraine’s armed forces.

Russian forces launched a fresh wave of missile, drone and glide-bomb attacks on Ukrainian cities overnight, killing at least nine civilians, officials said Tuesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meanwhile warned that Russia is receiving additional military support from North Korea as Moscow continues its more than four-year invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy said Russian forces used North Korean-supplied ballistic missiles in an overnight attack on Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine. Local officials said six people were killed and 19 others injured in the attack. Three more people, including a 15-year-old boy, were killed in Russian drone and artillery strikes in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, according to local authorities. Zelenskyy said late Monday that Russia had received more ballistic missiles from North Korea and was preparing to deploy additional North Korean troops. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a strategic partnership agreement more than two years ago, pledging mutual assistance if either country comes under attack. North Korea has sent thousands of troops and large quantities of weapons to support Russia's war in Ukraine. Analysts say its cooperation with Moscow is also helping strengthen North Korea's military capabilities. Zelenskyy warned that the combat experience gained by North Korean forces in the war could later pose a threat to other countries in the region. Ukraine has also accused Russia of increasing ballistic missile production to take advantage of Kyiv's shortage of Patriot air defence interceptors, which are among the few systems capable of intercepting such missiles. Kyiv also says Moscow is preparing to increase recruitment for a new offensive along the roughly 1,250-kilometre front line stretching across eastern and southern Ukraine. "Every step Russia takes — increasing ballistic missile production, bringing in North Korean equipment, preparing for mobilization — all of this shows that Moscow is preparing not for peace, but for escalation," Zelenskyy said in a social media post. US-led diplomatic efforts to end the war have made little progress, while Washington has become increasingly frustrated with the lack of movement toward a settlement and has shifted attention to the war in Iran. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said the Kremlin is unlikely to engage in serious negotiations or make significant concessions as long as Russian President Vladimir Putin believes his military can still achieve his objectives. The think tank also warned that Ukraine's shortage of Patriot interceptors could allow Russia to inflict serious damage over the coming winter, potentially prolonging the war and delaying meaningful negotiations. Children's hospital hit in Kyiv Russian forces also attacked parts of Kyiv overnight, Ukrainian officials said. One strike hit the grounds of a children's hospital, leaving two craters and breaking windows, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service. Children and medical staff were sheltering in bomb shelters at the time, and no one was injured. Another Russian strike caused a fire at a warehouse in the capital that spread over about 1,200 square metres, emergency officials said. Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces had targeted "military industrial facilities and transport and logistics centers" in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia using ground-based precision weapons. It said drone storage facilities in Kyiv and a metallurgical plant in Zaporizhzhia were among the targets. Ukraine's air force said Russia attacked Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv with Zircon anti-ship missiles and Iskander ballistic missiles, while launching 120 long-range drones of various types across Ukraine. Wildberries facilities attacked The Russian Defence Ministry said its air defences intercepted nearly 400 Ukrainian drones overnight over 14 Russian regions and occupied Crimea. Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, said its logistics facilities in the Voronezh region near the Ukrainian border were attacked and caught fire. The company said the fire had been extinguished and most of the goods stored there were not damaged. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Wildberries warehouses as part of its campaign against Russian economic infrastructure. Kyiv has also carried out strikes on Russian oil facilities, saying the attacks are aimed at pressuring Putin to negotiate an end to the war. Russian independent outlet Astra reported that an oil refinery in Orsk, about 1,300 kilometres from Ukraine's border, was hit and published images showing smoke rising from the facility. There was no official confirmation of an attack on the Orsk refinery, which has been targeted in previous attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s latest deadly attacks on Kyiv as he visited Serbia on Saturday, a European country that has maintained close ties with Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine. Four people, including a child, were killed in overnight Russian strikes on Kyiv and the surrounding region, while Ukrainian forces attacked Russian oil facilities. Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on Friday for his first official visit to Serbia. At a joint news conference with Zelenskyy, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called Ukraine a “friendly nation” and said he was pleased to host the Ukrainian leader. It was the first visit by a Ukrainian president to Serbia in eight years. The two leaders discussed their countries’ efforts to join the European Union, bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation. Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine regularly come under Russian drone and missile attacks. Ukraine’s air defenses have struggled to cope with the scale of the attacks as its supply of interceptors remains limited. At the same time, Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities have become increasingly frequent, causing fuel shortages and putting pressure on Moscow. Patriot missile supplies slowVucic, who has kept close relations with Moscow and declined to impose sanctions on Russia, said Serbia respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity and that its position would not change. The stance has drawn pressure from the European Union. “The situation in Ukraine is difficult,” Zelenskyy said. “There was another missile strike last night — ballistic missiles targeting our infrastructure. There were also attack drones.” He said deliveries of Patriot air defense interceptors, the only weapon in Ukraine’s arsenal capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, have slowed compared with last year. “There are fewer of these missiles in 2026,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine received more each month in 2025. Zelenskyy said the US has agreed to allow Ukraine to produce its own Patriot interceptors, but the plan has been delayed by paperwork. “The process for some of these licenses is also taking a long time,” he said. Child killed with grandparentsThe talks in Belgrade came after Russian drones destroyed a family home in Brovary district, northeast of Kyiv, killing a three-year-old child and the child’s grandparents, according to local officials. Three other family members and a neighbour who came to help were injured and taken to hospital. The attack destroyed the house and damaged nearby buildings and vehicles. Zelenskyy said at least one other person was killed in an attack involving six ballistic missiles targeting civilian infrastructure in Kyiv. Ukraine’s air force said it had shot down or intercepted 135 of 151 Russian drones launched overnight. The attack also included six ballistic missiles and other guided missiles. Russia has repeatedly attacked populated areas across Ukraine, although Moscow says its forces target only military facilities. Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said Friday that its air defenses had destroyed or intercepted around 5,300 Russian drones and missiles last month. That was just under 60% of the roughly 9,000 drones and missiles Russia launched during the period. Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged countries, particularly the US, to provide more air defense ammunition. Supplies have become tighter amid the war involving Iran. He has also sought permission to produce Patriot interceptors in Ukraine and called for stronger measures to disrupt Russia’s ability to manufacture ballistic missiles. Following the latest attacks, Zelenskyy appealed on X for additional sanctions aimed at stopping the production of Russian ballistic missiles, as well as more anti-ballistic systems and interceptor missiles. Ukraine targets Russian oil facilitiesIn Russia, six people were injured after a fire broke out at the Ilsky Oil Refinery in the southern Krasnodar region. Local officials said debris from a downed drone caused the fire. Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces had struck the refinery in Krasnodar as well as the Syzran Oil Refinery in Russia’s Samara region, more than 800 kilometres from Ukraine. Samara Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev confirmed that drones had hit an industrial facility but did not identify it as an oil refinery. Ukraine has carried out near-daily long-range drone and missile attacks on Russian oil facilities using domestically developed weapons. The strikes have disrupted Russia’s fuel supply and created shortages, putting further pressure on the Kremlin.

Ukraine has struck two oil refineries in Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday. In a social media post, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s Defence Forces targeted the Slavneft-Yanos refinery in Yaroslavl and the Bashneft-Novoil refinery in Russia’s Bashkortostan region. Earlier, reports said thick black smoke was seen rising from the area of the Yaroslavl refinery following Ukrainian drone attacks. Yaroslavl Governor Mikhail Evraev said Ukrainian drones targeting the region had been destroyed, but falling debris set three houses on fire. Zelenskyy also said Ukrainian forces attacked two Russian military patrol boats and vessels linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet in the Black Sea. Source: BBC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked US President Donald Trump to help secure approval from billionaire Elon Musk to allow Ukraine to use the Starlink satellite network for targeting military strikes inside Russia, according to people familiar with the discussions. The request came during Zelenskyy's meeting with Trump at the White House this week and was also raised in talks with US lawmakers on Capitol Hill. However, Trump did not commit to supporting the proposal, the sources said. Ukraine currently uses Starlink for communications within its own territory, including Russian-occupied areas. But Musk has not allowed the satellite system to be used for operations inside Russia. Zelenskyy has been pressing US officials for several weeks to expand Starlink's use, arguing that it would improve the accuracy of Ukraine's long-range and medium-range strikes. His request comes as Ukraine looks for alternatives to reduce its reliance on US-made Patriot air defence systems, which have become harder to obtain amid the ongoing US and Israeli military campaign against Iran. The White House, the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington and SpaceX, which owns Starlink, did not immediately comment on the matter. Allowing Starlink to be used inside Russia could also pose risks for Musk. Earlier this year, the Associated Press reported that intelligence agencies from two NATO countries believed Russia was developing an anti-satellite weapon that could target the Starlink network. The report could not be independently verified. Starlink has played a key role in supporting Ukraine's communications since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. During his visit to Washington, Zelenskyy also urged US lawmakers to continue supporting Ukraine with more Patriot systems and to move forward with a proposed agreement that would allow Ukraine to produce the air defence system under licence. Republican Senator Mike Rounds, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Zelenskyy stressed that wider access to Starlink would make Ukraine's longer-range weapons more accurate. "He made it clear they need Starlink for greater precision," Rounds said. Zelenskyy met lawmakers before the Senate voted to advance a new package of sanctions against Russia, with a final vote expected next week. Meanwhile, Trump appeared to step back from an earlier statement suggesting Ukraine would receive a licence to manufacture Patriot systems. Speaking to reporters at Camp David on Friday, Trump said the issue was still under discussion. "We're talking about it. But it's a hard thing to give away that kind of technology," he said. Relations between Trump and Zelenskyy have improved in recent months as Ukraine has gained ground on the battlefield. Zelenskyy has also argued that the war in Ukraine is linked to tensions involving Iran. He plans to share intelligence with the United States that he says shows Russia is helping Iran use satellite surveillance to target US military bases in the Middle East. He also told US lawmakers that Ukraine is ready to share its expertise in drone warfare with the United States, highlighting its experience in countering Russian attacks.

A Russian ballistic missile strike near Kyiv on Friday killed at least 10 people and injured nearly 100 others after hitting a site hosting a defence industry event, Ukrainian officials said. The attack came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Kyiv with senior representatives of US defence company Raytheon, which manufactures Patriot air defence systems that Ukraine says are essential to counter Russia's ballistic missile attacks. Raytheon did not immediately comment on whether any of its employees were present at the event. "Missiles for Patriot systems are the number one priority," Zelenskyy wrote on social media while confirming the attack. According to acting regional military administration head Ruslan Oliinyk, the missile struck the grounds of a privately operated military training facility in Bucha district, about 20 to 30 kilometres from central Kyiv. The site was hosting a defence-related gathering when it was hit. Emergency teams rushed to the scene, where 27 houses and 44 vehicles were also damaged, officials said. The Ukrainian Defence Industry Council, the country's largest association of private defence manufacturers, confirmed that industry representatives were attending the event, but did not disclose further details. Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko said authorities had launched a war crimes investigation into the Russian strike, along with a separate probe into possible negligence over the organisation of the event. Investigators will examine who approved the venue, timing and format of the gathering and whether sufficient safety measures had been taken. The Ukrainian government later imposed restrictions on reporting details of the attack. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said a separate strike on a military facility in Russia killed six people and injured 26 others, according to the regional governor. Zelenskyy pushes for Patriot co-productionThe meeting between Zelenskyy and Raytheon representatives took place less than three weeks after US President Donald Trump pledged to allow Ukraine to produce Patriot systems under licence. Zelenskyy said the company was ready to work with Ukraine on the joint production of Patriot interceptor missiles, adding that government officials and private-sector representatives would continue discussions on the project. Ukraine has repeatedly urged its Western allies to provide more Patriot systems, which are considered one of the few effective defences against Russian ballistic missiles. While Ukraine has developed its own air defence technologies, officials say expanding domestic production remains critical, though experts caution that establishing local manufacturing could take years. The meeting also reflected improving ties between Kyiv and Washington. Laura Loomer, a prominent Trump ally, also visited Kyiv on Thursday and criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin over missile attacks on Ukraine. Ukraine expands drone strikes inside RussiaUkraine has continued stepping up long-range drone attacks inside Russia, targeting military and logistical infrastructure as it seeks to disrupt Moscow's war effort. On Friday, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had struck an oil facility about 1,350 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, along with a military plant in Russia's Kirov region that produces aircraft and missile components. Regional Governor Alexander Sokolov said six people were killed and 26 injured in the attack on the military facility. Russian outlet Astra identified the site as the Avitec plant, which manufactures air defence missiles and aircraft components. Ukraine also targeted several logistics centres belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer. Company founder Tatyana Kim said warehouses in St. Petersburg, the neighbouring Leningrad region and Simferopol in Russian-annexed Crimea came under attack. Russian media published images showing thick smoke rising over St. Petersburg. Ukrainian forces had struck four other Wildberries facilities earlier this week, causing major fires. Kyiv says its campaign aims to disrupt Russia's military logistics and bring the impact of the war closer to ordinary Russians. Russia's Defence Ministry said its air defence systems shot down 571 Ukrainian drones overnight.

A Ukrainian attack on Russian-occupied Crimea killed one person and injured two others early Sunday, according to Moscow-installed officials, as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held separate phone calls with US President Donald Trump on efforts to end the war. Sergei Aksyonov, the Russia-appointed governor of Crimea, said the attack struck the northern part of the peninsula. One of the injured was reported to be in serious condition. He did not provide further details. In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified long-range strikes on military and infrastructure targets in Crimea as part of its efforts to isolate the strategically important peninsula, which Russia seized and illegally annexed in 2014. Western officials and analysts say Ukraine's growing ability to strike deep inside Russian-controlled territory has increased pressure on the Kremlin, while Russia's battlefield advances have slowed in recent months. The latest attack came shortly after Zelenskyy and Putin held separate telephone conversations with Trump. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said he congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of US independence and discussed the situation on the battlefield. "There is a real prospect of ending this war, and America's determination will be crucial," Zelenskyy wrote, adding that the two leaders agreed to continue discussions in person during the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. Meanwhile, the Kremlin described Putin's nearly 90-minute phone conversation with Trump on Saturday as "constructive." Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin also congratulated Trump and the American people on the 250th anniversary of US independence. The call was the fourth conversation between the two leaders this year. According to Ushakov, Trump reaffirmed his willingness to help bring about a quick end to the fighting and support efforts to reach a peaceful settlement. He said Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, would continue mediation efforts and remain ready to visit Moscow. Ushakov said Putin again stressed that Russia prefers a diplomatic solution, provided its long-standing demands are taken into account. At the same time, Putin accused Ukraine and its European allies of trying to prolong and escalate the conflict, claiming they have misjudged the situation on the battlefield. He also told Trump that Russian forces continue to make gains, capturing one settlement after another. Putin specifically claimed that Russian troops had captured the Ukrainian stronghold of Kostyantynivka, describing it as an important step toward taking full control of Ukraine's Donetsk region. Ukraine has rejected Russia's claim that Kostyantynivka has fallen.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Russia is redeploying a large portion of its air defense systems to protect key locations, including Moscow, as Ukrainian long-range drone attacks continue to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. In a video address late Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Russia has strengthened defenses around Moscow, the town of Valdai, where Russian President Vladimir Putin has a residence, and the Kerch Bridge, a crucial supply route linking mainland Russia with Crimea. According to Zelenskyy, hundreds of air defense missile launchers have been concentrated around Moscow, while nearly 90 launchers have reportedly been moved to Valdai from other regions. Ukraine has significantly increased drone strikes on Russian military and energy facilities in recent months. Kyiv says the attacks have disrupted fuel supplies and military logistics, creating additional challenges for Russian forces more than four years into the war. Ukrainian drones have recently targeted Moscow and St. Petersburg, while Kyiv is also seeking to weaken Russian control over Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014. Zelenskyy suggested that the redeployment of air defense systems could leave other parts of Russia more exposed to Ukrainian drone attacks. He said Ukraine's latest generation of drones can travel more than 1,500 kilometers. "There are growing difficulties for Russia because Putin continues to reject proposals for meaningful talks and a peaceful settlement," Zelenskyy said. Trump praises Zelenskyy US President Donald Trump, who has previously criticized Zelenskyy, offered rare praise for the Ukrainian leader on Wednesday. Speaking at the White House, Trump described Zelenskyy as "courageous" and said he was "doing pretty well" in the conflict. Zelenskyy said he secured commitments for continued international support during the recent G7 summit and expressed hope that additional military assistance would strengthen Ukraine's campaign against Russia. He added that Ukraine's operations, including those targeting Crimea, had been carefully planned and could increase pressure on Moscow to pursue peace negotiations. Ukraine watching Belarus closely Zelenskyy also said Ukrainian intelligence believes Belarus has switched off signal relay equipment that Kyiv claims was used to help guide Russian drones toward targets in Ukraine. Last week, Ukraine demanded that Belarus remove the equipment and warned it could take action if the systems remained operational. Despite the reported shutdown, Zelenskyy said concerns remain about Belarus, which allowed Russian forces to use its territory during the initial invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ukrainian authorities on Wednesday ordered mandatory evacuations from communities in the northern Chernihiv region near the Belarus border starting July 1. Meanwhile, the Washington-based think tank Institute for the Study of War said Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko continues to balance relations between Moscow and Kyiv, while avoiding direct involvement in the war. Ukraine's military chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, recently said the country is strengthening defenses along its northern border and establishing new drone units in the area. Russian strikes hit gas stations in Ukraine Russia launched one ballistic missile and 90 attack drones overnight, according to Ukraine's air force. A Russian drone strike hit a gas station in the northeastern Sumy region on Thursday morning, injuring four people, including two employees, regional governor Oleh Hryhorov said. He added that Russian forces have targeted gas stations in the region 13 times this month. In the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, another overnight Russian attack injured a woman and damaged a gas station, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defense systems shot down 269 Ukrainian drones between late Wednesday and early Thursday. Several Russian airports also temporarily restricted flights during the attacks.

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.