Ukraine's air force successfully intercepted a barrage of drones launched by Russian forces in an overnight assault. The attack involved 160 drones, with Ukrainian forces shooting down 80 and causing the loss of 78 more through electronic countermeasures. This marks a significant escalation in hostilities as Moscow targets key infrastructure in Ukraine.
The onslaught impacted Ukraine's southern Odesa region for the second time, crippling one district by severing its heating and power supply. Concurrently, Russian forces unleashed 14 missiles on the northeastern Kharkiv region, further intensifying the conflict. Meanwhile, Ukraine has initiated discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure approximately $917 million in new funds, which could bolster its war-torn economy.
In a separate development, Russia's Defence Ministry declared control over the villages of Nadiivka and Novosilka in the Donetsk region. Russian forces have reclaimed over 800 square kilometers from Ukrainian troops in western Russia's Kursk region—an area equivalent to 64 percent of the land initially seized by Kyiv.
In international diplomacy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed readiness to collaborate with Washington on a robust investment and security agreement. He also emphasized the need to finalize a deal concerning rare earth minerals crucial for Ukraine's war efforts, urging, "We have proposed the fastest and most constructive way to achieve results. Our team is ready to work 24/7."
However, this call for action drew criticism from White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who advised Ukraine to "tone it down." Similarly, Dmitry Peskov labeled Zelenskyy's remarks as "inadmissible" and "unacceptable," reflecting ongoing diplomatic tensions.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi offered a glimmer of hope by suggesting a "window for peace" may be emerging during discussions with G20 counterparts, hinting at potential diplomatic resolutions for the ongoing crisis.
