Luhansk is back in the headlines as Ukraine-Russia tensions spike, with drone and missile strikes across the region. City in eastern Ukraine's Donbas; population ~397k (2022).
EU ambassadors have launched the formal process to open the first negotiating cluster with Ukraine and Moldova, and the Cyprus presidency has prepared intergovernmental conferences for June 15. Hungary has signalled a breakthrough on minority rights with Kyiv, and German proposals for an "associate member" status for Ukraine are shaping rival views of how fast accession can proceed.
Ukraine reports renewed Russian strikes and warns of further escalation; Zelenskiy calls for air-defence support and sanctions while Russia cites drone and missile activity. Multiple attacks have left casualties and raised international concern over potential retaliation and broader escalation.
Russia has launched a large overnight assault on Ukraine, firing 73 missiles and 656 attack drones that struck multiple cities including Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv. Ukraine's air force has said it has shot down most incoming weapons but at least several dozen missiles and drones have hit targets, killing and injuring civilians and forcing thousands into metro shelters on Tuesday morning.
The war in Ukraine is shifting. Ukrainian forces have tightened pressure on Russian positions in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, while Russia faces logistical strains and stalling advances. Kyiv is expanding long-range strikes, stressing Russian rear-area capabilities as Moscow maintains a systematic aerial campaign. Analysts warn that momentum is fragile and the next months will test both sides.