Ukraine War Live Update
Israeli strike in Iraq leads to unintentional death of Ukrainian woman
Get the latest updates on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as tensions escalate between Russia, Iran, and Ukraine.
00:46 Ukraine Woman Killed in Iranian Rocket Attack in Israel
Tragic news out of Bat Yam, Israel, where a Ukrainian woman lost her life in an Iranian rocket attack on a residential building. The victim was just 31 and her 8-year-old daughter, who was also with her, was killed as well, along with the girl's grandmother. This attack occurred last Sunday, leaving authorities racing to investigate and determine any further casualties or reasons behind the attack.
23:28 Ukraine Calls for Global Action Against Axis of Russia, Iran, North Korea
President Zelenskyy is making a powerful plea for international action against the increasingly unfavorable alliance between Russia, Iran, and North Korea. He argues that Moscow is attempting to save the Iranian nuclear program and that whenever a partner of Russia faces pressure, Moscow tends to intervene aggressively. He warns that as these aggressor states unite, global solidarity and global pressure must be increased and sanctions tightened significantly.
22:16 Zelenskyy Appoints New Commander of Ground Forces
In response to the previous commander, Mikhailo Drapatyi, requesting dismissal due to 12 soldier deaths in a Russian rocket attack, Zelenskyy has appointed a new commander of the ground forces, Colonel-General Hennadiy Shapovalov. Shapovalov has previously served as the liaison officer in the NATO staff in Wiesbaden, coordinating military aid for Ukraine.
21:48 UN Security Council to Address Ukraine War
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting to address the ongoing war in Ukraine in the evening. The meeting was requested by Ukraine, citing Russia's latest attacks and the need for increased international pressure to end the violence.
21:00 Bodies of Russian Soldiers Found Amongst Thousands Returned by Russia
Officials in Kyiv report that among the thousands of bodies recently handed over by Russia to Ukraine, there are also remains of Russian soldiers. This is believed to be an intentional move to cause chaos and complicate identification, with the Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko referring to the situation as "boundless cynicism."
20:11 Trump Leaves G7 Summit Early
According to a report from the Financial Times, US President Trump's early departure from the G7 summit in Canada may have been due to irritation with French President Macron and a lack of interest in meeting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
19:35 Latvia Bans Russian and Belarusian Citizens from Buying Real Estate
Latvia has passed a law banning Russian and Belarusian citizens from purchasing real estate due to security concerns. The ban is based on the idea that Russia is waging a hybrid war against supporters of Ukraine and the indirect acquisition of real estate in other countries is a means of this warfare. Latvia has already largely suspended the issuance of visas and residence permits to Russians.
19:00 North Korea May Send Thousands of Workers to Russia for Drones Production
There are reports suggesting that North Korea could send up to 25,000 workers to a drone factory in Russia to boost production and receive training in operating drones. This move would deepen the military cooperation between the two countries further.
18:03 Spain Blocks NATO Plan to Increase Defense Spending
Spain is blocking NATO plans to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2032. Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez criticizes the new target, citing it as incompatible with the country's social model and worldview.
17:34 Kremlin Says Putin-Trump Meeting Not Currently Useful
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicates that there are no plans for a Putin-Trump meeting as "the necessary 'homework' to remove irritants in our relations with the United States" needs to be completed before such a meeting takes place.
Additional Insights:
Money Matters
Frozen Russian assets, estimated to be approximately €200 billion, could generate more profits for Ukraine if they were invested differently. The EU executive is considering transferring the assets to a riskier investment fund to generate higher interest rates, but this is still under discussion among EU finance ministers.
Diplomacy
Ukraine aims to move closer to NATO, and Finland has begun the process of leaving the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines to better defend against its eastern neighbor, Russia. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been warned by Russian President Putin about consequences if Germany delivers Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, while Putin has expressed his readiness to meet with Merz.
- The latest updates on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine indicate a growing alliance between Russia, Iran, and North Korea, prompting President Zelenskyy to call for increased global action and tightened international sanctions.
- In light of Russia's aggressive interventions and the increasingly unfavorable alliances, some countries, like Latvia, have taken measures to protect their security, such as banning Russian and Belarusian citizens from purchasing real estate.
