Overview

• Russia has launched nightly waves of hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles against Ukraine’s western regions, killing civilians despite Ukraine intercepting more than half of the incoming munitions
• Ukraine is scaling up production of low-cost interceptor drones through four domestic firms and one US-Ukrainian joint venture to counter Shahed-type aerial attacks
• Ukrainian forces carried out deep strikes on the MiG fighter-jet plant in Lukhovitsy and the Shipunov missile institute in Tula, with local officials reporting one death and one injury
• The US Department of Defense confirmed that, on President Trump’s directive, additional defensive weapons will be sent to Ukraine, with Patriot air defense systems under consideration
• North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has publicly pledged unconditional backing for all of Russia’s objectives in Ukraine, strengthening Moscow’s strategic partnerships