Ongoing hostilities and diplomatic efforts mark Ukraine conflict

Russia reported intercepting 660 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, including Moscow, overnight. Concurrently, explosions were heard in Kyiv, with the Ukrainian air force indicating a missile targeted the capital. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed Kyiv's intention to conduct "preemptive attacks" on Russian territory. The Kremlin, via spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, attributed Ukrainian strikes to worsening front-line conditions, asserting Russian forces are advancing "along the entire front" and predicting "irreversible" consequences for Kyiv. Separately, Russian-occupied Crimea declared an "emergency situation" due to a fuel crisis exacerbated by recent Ukrainian attacks. The European Council extended economic sanctions against Russia until summer 2027, and a first installment of a €90 billion European loan has been disbursed to Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged "mutual respect" and "understanding of history" between Poles and Ukrainians at a reconstruction conference in Gdansk.

Sources: Le Monde — International