A peninsula in Eastern Europe, under Russian occupation since 2014.
Drones and glide bombs have intensified attacks across Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian drones continue targeting deep inside Russia, while Russia strikes Ukrainian ports and civilian infrastructure, causing casualties and property damage. Both sides report strikes on multiple fronts, with no independently verifiable casualty figures.
Russian forces have launched large overnight missile-and-drone strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian officials have reported dozens of deaths and widespread damage to residential buildings, a school and the Lithuanian embassy. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said delays in deliveries of anti‑ballistic interceptors have worsened casualties and urged expedited air‑defence support.
Ukrainian forces continue to face Russian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine while seeking more interceptor missiles and air defense support from allies. Kyiv reports civilian casualties and damage, and Moscow says it has targeted drone hubs and fuel depots.
Long-range Ukrainian drones have hit multiple Wildberries logistics hubs across Russia, including a warehouse in Yekaterinburg that has burned. Russian officials say hundreds of drones have been intercepted during recent waves of attacks. Kyiv is using the strikes to disrupt Russian logistics and economic capacity while Russia reports civilian casualties from reciprocal strikes in Ukraine.
This week long-range Ukrainian drones and Russian missiles have struck cities deep inside Russia and across Ukraine. Attacks on Nizhnekamsk have killed and wounded dozens; Russia says it intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones. Kyiv and Moscow have exchanged heavy strikes that have damaged energy and civilian infrastructure and caused multiple civilian deaths and injuries.
Russia’s athletics federation has filed a new appeal at CAS to overturn World Athletics sanctions that ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from global events. The IOC has allowed Russian competitors in some Olympic qualifiers, sparking debate among federations that have eased restrictions in other sports. The case tests the balance between sport and politics as World Athletics defends its integrity.
A Ukrainian drone attack on Novorossiysk has killed a child and injured several people, with damage reported to dozens of buildings as regional authorities confirm ongoing strikes across southern Russia and Ukraine. Authorities say the broader Krasnodar region has seen multiple casualties and infrastructure damage, while Russia reports counter-drone activity.
The Kremlin’s campaign has targeted energy facilities and a major refinery in Bashkortostan, with Ukrainian forces striking Salavat and Orsk. The attacks compound Russia’s refining shortages amid the war, while civilian casualties are reported and infrastructure damage grows across multiple regions.
A blast in Sevastopol has killed a Russian Defense Ministry officer, with a Russian national detained on suspicion of carrying out the attack on behalf of Ukrainian intelligence. Authorities say the suspect acted on Kyiv’s instructions while the wider security picture remains murky, as Kyiv denies involvement.
The UN confirms July was the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since the invasion began, with 437 killed and 2,610 injured. Long-range weapons remain the main cause, and Kyiv calls for more air defences as Ukraine expands long-range strikes against Russian targets.
Ukraine has targeted long-range facilities in Russia, including the Progress Center in Samara and an air base in Savasleika, using domestically produced Flamingo missiles. Kyiv says the strikes aim to reduce Russia’s war capacity and bring the conflict closer to Moscow, with reports of fires and damage at multiple sites.
Lev Shlosberg, deputy chairman of Yabloko, has been sentenced to 11 years and 1 month in prison for discrediting the Russian armed forces and spreading false information about the war in Ukraine. The case marks a new blow to Russia's dissidence as Yabloko faces election bans and authorities tighten controls.
The latest wave of Russian strikes targets Kyiv and other Ukrainian infrastructure, intensifying an already brutal conflict. Officials report civilian casualties, power outages, and disrupted daily life as both sides escalate long-range attacks and Ukraine warns of winter-scale challenges ahead.
Ukraine reports a major Russian assault on Kyiv and other cities, with casualties and damage. Kyiv is preparing for ongoing strikes and defense needs as authorities call for international support and new air-defense resources.
The prime minister has told Manchester mayors that a British Isles bid for the World Cup is possible, potentially spreading hosting duties across multiple nations as part of a broader sporting push.
Russian missiles and drones have struck Kryvyi Rih, Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia amid intensified fighting. Ukrainian officials report dozens dead or injured, with rescue operations ongoing and the UN warning of a high civilian toll.
A daytime Russian drone strike has hit a busy shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown, in two waves. Rescue teams have continued searching the rubble; authorities have reported at least 14 dead, about 121–130 wounded and several people missing, including children. Kyiv has renewed appeals for more air-defence support.
European NATO forces face critical Patriot interceptor shortfalls as stocks have moved to the Middle East for Iran-related operations. Officials warn gaps could leave allies vulnerable to ballistic missiles, with Ukraine bearing the brunt while stocks rebound toward 2030. Ukraine is seeking more air-defence support and there is talk of SCALP missile production lines.
Leaders from 34 countries are meeting in Kyiv on Ukraine’s Independence Day to pledge additional air defences and military aid. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is co-chairing the Coalition of the Willing, with France and Germany, and will authorize the release of classified blueprints for the SCALP missile to support Ukrainian production. EU funds are also being stepped up to bolster Ukraine’s shield as Russia escalates strikes.
Ukraine has pressed SpaceX’s Starlink to operate beyond its borders, arguing wider access could sustain long-range drone operations. SpaceX has restricted use inside Russia, while Zelenskyy says expansion would be a significant escalation. The presidency is coordinating with Washington on how Musk’s policy could shift Ukraine’s military capabilities.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe has flown to Moscow for undisclosed talks with Russian intelligence officials. The Kremlin has said President Vladimir Putin was briefed but did not meet Ratcliffe. U.S. officials and the CIA have declined to comment. Washington told Kyiv in advance and asked Ukraine to pause strikes on parts of Russia while the delegation was in the capital.
A Russian military officer has been killed and his wife injured when their car exploded in the Pushkinsky suburb of St. Petersburg. Investigators have opened a criminal probe; Kyiv has denied involvement in the attack, while Moscow has blamed Ukraine for previous assassinations. The incident follows a series of high-profile blasts targeting Russian military figures.
Russia has held a three-day parliamentary election from Sept. 18–20 that is set to return a United Russia-dominated State Duma. Most anti-war candidates were barred, the liberal Yabloko party was disqualified from the nationwide list, voting is being held in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, and Moscow reported large drone attacks and a sustained cyberattack on electronic voting in the capital.
As Russia's campaign against Ukraine escalates, Ukrainian authorities report multi-city strikes targeting civilian infrastructure and energy facilities. Kyiv and other regions face ongoing air raids, with civilian casualties and disruptions to daily life. Ukraine says jet-powered drones are now part of Russia's upgraded arsenal, forcing a rapid evolution of interceptors and defenses.
Kyiv and its region endure a sixth night of Russian air attacks, with drones and missiles targeting infrastructure and housing. Ukrainian officials report dozens killed or wounded, while authorities warn of ongoing strikes as air defences contend with jet-powered drones and long-range missiles. Western allies face pressure over interceptor stockpiles as Moscow pursues strategic disruption.
Naftogaz has secured a court order to arrest the Russian vessel Professor Molchanov off Svalbard, following a 24-hour standoff with the Norwegian Coast Guard. The move is part of a multinational effort to seize Russian assets tied to Crimea seizures after a 2023 Hague award.
The UN General Assembly has endorsed a non-binding move to shift from the Mercator projection to the Equal Earth map to better reflect continental sizes. The vote saw 164 members in favour with the United States abstaining or opposing; several countries express concerns about disputed territories and implications for regional shading.
The United Nations has endorsed a shift toward the Equal Earth projection, encouraging adoption over the Mercator map. The resolution, supported by 164 countries, stops short of mandating change but calls for broader use in education, media and policy discussions. The United States opposes the move, with concerns over disputed territories.
Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow to revive talks aimed at ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite weekend diplomacy, Moscow and Kyiv show deep gaps on terms. Ukraine halts airstrikes during the visit; Russia has escalated strikes elsewhere.
The UN General Assembly has voted 164–1 to encourage use of equal-area map projections, led by Togo and backed by the African Union. The non-binding resolution recommends the Equal Earth projection for schools, governments and tech companies. The United States cast the sole vote against; six states abstained.
President Donald Trump has spoken by phone for one hour with Vladimir Putin after US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Moscow and Kyiv. The Kremlin has said both leaders discussed possible steps to end the war in Ukraine and praised the envoys' diplomacy, while Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities have resumed.
Drones have struck border checkpoints and cities across Ukraine and Russia, killing and injuring civilians. Authorities report multiple attacks, with border crossings closed and infrastructure damaged. Ukraine and Russia escalate long-range strikes as Moldova and border regions face spillover tensions.
Ukraine and Canada have agreed to pursue a “hundred-year partnership” covering defense, critical minerals and energy, with Canada pledging drone production and energy support for Ukraine amid Russia’s war and a looming winter. Zelenskyy has said he will meet with the American team in New York, as talks with Moscow proceed without immediate breakthroughs.
Ukraine faces intensified Russian strikes targeting civilian infrastructure and energy facilities, with multiple cities reporting casualties and widespread damage. Western diplomacy and fear of winter shortages shape the response as Moscow presses its campaign and Kyiv seeks international support.
Large-scale drone attacks have intensified between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian strikes have hit multiple Russian oil refineries and transport hubs, while Russian strikes have hit Ukrainian cities; both sides report civilian deaths and infrastructure damage. U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly urged Kyiv to stop targeting diesel facilities as diesel prices hit record highs.
AP and Independent profiles converge on photographer Vadim Ghirda, highlighting his advocacy for human stories, night shoots, and risk-filled assignments across conflict zones and iconic landscapes. The interviews underscore photography as a universal language and a lifelong pursuit of ‘soul’ in a moment.
President Donald Trump has spoken by phone with President Vladimir Putin for about an hour after US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff visited Moscow and Kyiv. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov has said the call was "constructive and quite candid," that Trump wants a quick end to the war, and that Putin outlined Russia's battlefield view.
Britain has announced sanctions in response to West Bank settlement activity, with measures targeting imports from settlements and discretionary sanctions on entities supporting settlement expansion. The move comes ahead of Israel's looming election and amid international coordination with France and Canada.
Conservative radio host Sid Rosenberg has met Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office and discussed concerns about Vance's ties to Tucker Carlson and U.S. support for Israel. Rosenberg has said he pressed Vance to distance himself from Carlson to secure right-leaning Jewish donor support for a likely 2028 campaign and met Trump afterward.
Ukraine and Western officials condemn Russia-held elections in occupied territories as illegal while Putin underscores the vote’s purpose to showcase public backing for the war; observers report coercion and security-driven voting extensions.
Preliminary results have shown President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia has secured about 57–58% of the party vote and is set to take roughly 355 of 450 State Duma seats after three days of voting. Turnout has been reported near 57–60%. Voting included polling in Crimea and four Ukrainian regions annexed by Moscow; Western governments have denounced the ballot as uncompetitive and illegal in occupied territories.
Latvia has declared a persona non grata a Russian commentator based on material from authorities, with officials citing national security reasons. The move follows prior expulsions of Russian cultural figures and signals intensifying scrutiny of Russia-linked voices in Latvia’s public sphere.
Germany’s intelligence chief has warned parliament that Russia is escalating its push in Europe, citing an attempted attack on a Ukrainian cargo plane and Moscow’s war in Ukraine as it enters a dangerous phase amid domestic pressure on Putin.
The US has moved to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports, prompting international debate as Trump publicly pressures Zelensky and calls for new leadership while Ukraine seeks to protect energy infrastructure amid rising tensions.
The latest on a claimed energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine: Kyiv says it would sign on if Moscow agrees; Moscow has not confirmed, while Trump’s announcement has sparked cautious optimism and scepticism about enforcement as concerns over energy facilities continue.
Across Ukraine and Russia, drone and missile attacks have escalated, killing civilians and damaging infrastructure. Crimea reports restrictions on electricity and water after a drone incident; multiple regional strikes in Bryansk and Kharkiv kill and wound people. NATO training exercises show allied readiness to defend against drone-enabled warfare. Starlink remains contested amid a broader information and security backdrop.
Ukraine faces renewed Russian strikes targeting energy infrastructure as Western warnings about an energy ceasefire rhetoric surface. Kyiv reports casualties and power outages across multiple regions; Trump’s ceasefire claim has added confusion to the crisis.
Ukraine has reported that Starlink's military variant, Starshield, was slowed in mid‑October, degrading its drone and air‑defence operations. The Wall Street Journal has reported Donald Trump phoned Elon Musk and asked him to restore full service; Trump and SpaceX deny a formal White House order. Kyiv says speeds have only been partially restored and the disruption has cost defensive capability.
Ukrainian defense sources have disclosed a disruption to SpaceX’s Starshield system, the military version of Starlink, affecting drone operations and front-line logistics. Officials say speeds above 100 mph were restricted, with some units experiencing cutoffs at 45 mph. By Thursday, services had largely resumed, but the incident highlights Ukraine’s dependence on SpaceX and the challenge of diversifying communications amid escalating tensions with external powers.
The latest strikes on civilian targets have intensified concern that Kyiv and Washington are drifting apart amid winter pressures. European leaders are urging the U.S. to sustain support as Ukraine frets over missile stocks, energy losses, and the prospect of a tougher confrontation with Russia.