#ukraine-conflict

#ukraine-conflict

He has just left cell 403, in block 13 of the prison where he is being held, somewhere in Kyiv province that will remain anonymous for security reasons. The light is dim in the corridor, but it gains intensity along the labyrinth that leads to the room where he is being held. The smell is strong. A soldier, stripped of his weapon, safely stored at the entrance to the facility, tells him yes, he can shake hands. He smiles.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have called for secondary sanctions aimed at disrupting Russia's war in Ukraine after holding the 25th Franco-German Council of Ministers, with US President Donald Trump's diplomatic push yet to bring the three-and-a-half-year war to an end. The leaders of Europe's two biggest economies on Friday agreed to accelerate measures targeting Russia's war machine, including companies from third countries that support Russia's war, according to a joint statement after the meeting in the southern French port city of Toulon.

Photos posted by the Michigan National Guard, which were first spotted and reported on by The War Zone, show what looks like a fiber-optic drone sitting on a rocky beach. The small, black quadcopter drone is equipped with a spool for a fiber-optic cable. Another photo shows another drone with a spool sitting on a table at the exercise, as well as an Xbox-like controller next to it.

In his recent burst of diplomacy, Trump has repeatedly stressed that Ukraine will not join NATO and that no U.S. troops will be on the ground in Ukraine.

Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff suggest that Putin may make concessions for a plea deal with Ukraine, ignoring that these could be mere inducements to Trump.

Military technology has significantly progressed from sword-fighting to AI-assisted drones and missiles, exemplifying the dramatic evolution of warfare over time.

Ukraine is viewed by Washington as covering a geographical area of about 600,000 square kilometers, while Moscow considers it to be 20% smaller due to its claims over eastern Ukraine.

Gold prices fell as signs of de-escalation in the Ukraine conflict diminished safe-haven demand. Trump's upcoming meeting with Putin may further ease tensions.

China's President Xi Jinping expressed support for a long-term solution to the Ukraine conflict during a call with Russia's Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the need for peace talks.

Civilian deaths mounted as Russia continued to press its offensive in eastern Ukraine, claiming to have captured two more villages, as Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to retaliate with further attacks inside Russia.

"This damage, in turn, affects the rate of military innovation and R&D. More importantly, it determines how the Kremlin will wage war in the future."

The participation of three Palestinian teens in the International Mathematics Olympiad signals progress despite previous visa challenges, marking a moment of unity amidst geopolitical strife.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte urged China, Brazil, and India to pressure Russia regarding the Ukraine conflict, warning about potential severe consequences from US tariffs if they don’t act.