Russia
🇺🇸 U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Kyiv, pledging $400 million in new arms for Ukraine just weeks before the U.S. presidential election. Despite uncertainty over future support, Austin reaffirmed bipartisan backing for Ukraine, warning that failing to resist Putin risks tyranny.
🇲🇩 Moldova’s President Maia Sandu declared a hard-fought victory after a narrow 50.46% win in the EU accession referendum, despite allegations of Russia-backed meddling. Sandu, calling it an “unfair fight,” accused foreign forces of undermining the vote. A presidential runoff looms.
🇺🇸 Paul Whelan recounts the harsh, monotonous conditions of his five-year imprisonment in Russia, enduring filthy labor camps, sham trials, and failed prisoner swaps. Now free, he’s focused on fighting for fellow Americans still held abroad, driven by hope and advocacy rather than revenge.
🇷🇸 In a rare call, Serbia’s Vucic thanks Putin for ensuring winter gas supplies, reaffirming close ties despite EU pressure. Serbia maintains its refusal to sanction Russia over Ukraine, hiding behind a “delicate balancing act” between East and West.
🇺🇦 Russian missiles slam Zelenskiy’s hometown Kryvyi Rih, wounding 17 and ravaging buildings. Ukraine claims to have shot down 31 of 49 Russian drones in brutal overnight assault. Attack exposes Russia’s relentless targeting of civilians, despite Kremlin denials, as urban devastation mounts.
🇷🇺 Russian official admits Ukraine attacks forced Black Sea Fleet to relocate from Sevastopol, the first acknowledgment of Ukraine’s successful campaign to disrupt Russian naval operations. Dmitry Rogozin highlights Russia’s drone technology lag, calls for urgent military-tech revolution.
🇺🇦 Zelenskiy demands global response to North Korea’s deepening involvement in Ukraine war. Citing satellite, video evidence, he warns of NK troops training for deployment alongside Russian troops. The conflict escalates as Pyongyang’s support threatens to prolong and intensify the brutal invasion.
🇨🇭 Switzerland, famously neutral, has signed onto the European Sky Shield Initiative—a significant departure from its traditional stance. The unified air and missile defense system, led by Germany in response to Russia’s violent aggression, offers Europe a chance to streamline defense resources.