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).
Ukrainian drones attacked port infrastructure in Russia’s Krasnodar region, damaging buildings and injuring three. Russia reported intercepting 172 drones over the Black Sea and southern regions. The attack disrupted air traffic and targeted the Sheskharis oil terminal, a key export facility supporting Russian forces in Ukraine.
Ukraine could participate in EU meetings as an associate member without voting rights, under a proposal by German Chancellor Merz. The plan aims to support peace talks while preserving a merit-based accession process, and would include safeguards and a potential sunset mechanism. Zelenskiy has welcomed signs of progress; Hungary’s stance remains a barrier. EU leaders are weighing a path that could affect broader accession processes.
Zelenskiy has warned of a potential combined strike on Ukrainian territory, including Kyiv, as Russia prepares retaliation options following a Ukrainian drone attack on Starobilsk. Multiple cities report strikes and international actors are monitoring the situation amid renewed calls for increased defense and deterrence.