Ukraine deploys gun-wielding war robot against Russia Ukraine has deployed a gun-toting robot for the first time during a mission into Russian-controlled territory in southern Ukraine, according to soldiers involved in the operation. The robot was delivered via a sea drone, as revealed in a 57-second video clip shared by drone specialists in Ukraine’s 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade. The footage shows the ground robot perched on a floating platform, moving toward a narrow shoreline before rolling off the sea drone and onto land. This marks a significant development in Ukraine’s use of unmanned systems in combat. Ukraine’s drones, both aerial and ground-based, are continuously upgraded every few weeks. The country’s growing fleet of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) has attracted less attention compared to its flying drones and explosive-laden uncrewed boats, but these robots are becoming increasingly vital in prolonged, close-quarters battles. Both Ukraine and Russia are leveraging robotics to reduce human exposure to combat risks, employing them for tasks such as evacuating injured soldiers, laying mines, and targeting enemy positions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously highlighted the use of robots in retaking territory from Russian forces, calling it a “new approach to war.” The 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade’s 1st Unmanned Systems Battalion emphasized the strategic importance of these systems in a Telegram post, underscoring their role in modern warfare. The deployment of such technology reflects the evolving nature of conflict, where unmanned systems are being integrated into both defensive and offensive operations. The operation targeted a key Russian position known as the Kinburn Spit, a narrow strip of land stretching 6 miles at the mouth of the Dnieper River.#russia #ukraine #volodymyr_zelensky #123rd_territorial_defense_brigade #kinburn_spit
Trump surprises NATO allies with arms deals and praise as summit ends positively US President Donald Trump unveiled new arms sales to NATO allies and Ukraine during the transatlantic alliance’s summit in Ankara, Turkey, signaling a shift in his approach to military cooperation. The summit, which concluded on Wednesday, saw Trump emphasize the importance of strengthening defense partnerships, particularly as European nations rebuild their militaries. His remarks came after a series of tensions with NATO members over his previous criticisms of the alliance. During a press conference on the final day of the summit, Trump announced a $3 billion investment in defense contracts between European and US firms. This included plans for a Lockheed Martin “world-class” Patriot missile maintenance facility, which he called a “big deal.” While he did not specify the location of the facility in Europe, he stressed that the agreement would benefit both the US and its allies by providing advanced air defense systems. “It all goes to the benefit of Europe and us, because they’re getting the best equipment,” Trump stated. The announcement followed a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the summit’s sidelines, where Trump pledged to grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles. Zelensky had previously urged the US to provide these systems, citing their critical role in countering Russia’s use of drones and missiles in the ongoing war. The conflict has seen both Kyiv and Moscow employ drone attacks on each other’s territories, underscoring the urgency of air defense capabilities. NATO leaders also agreed to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP amid pressure from the US and concerns over Russia’s military threat.#nato #turkey #donald_trump #volodymyr_zelensky #lockheed_martin
Ukraine Strikes Major Oil Terminal in Russia's St Petersburg A major oil terminal in Russia's north-western city of St Petersburg was struck overnight by Ukrainian forces, according to Volodymyr Zelensky, who described the facility as a key source of revenue for Moscow's war efforts. Ukraine also claimed a significant Russian naval base in the region was hit, marking another escalation in the conflict. The attack, which Zelensky said occurred approximately 850 kilometers from Ukraine's border, was confirmed by the BBC after verification. The terminal, described by Ukrainian military sources as one of the largest in Russia, is capable of producing 12.5 million tonnes of petroleum products annually. St Petersburg Governor Aleksandr Beglov acknowledged the city had been subjected to a "massive" drone attack, confirming the oil terminal was damaged but stating there were no casualties. He reported that 72 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted over the city and the surrounding Leningrad region, urging residents to remain indoors until the threat subsided. Mobile internet services in the area may also have been disrupted. With a population exceeding five million, the attack has raised concerns about the potential impact on infrastructure and daily life. Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russia's energy infrastructure with long-range drone strikes, leading to widespread fuel shortages. Kyiv claims nearly 43% of Russia's oil refining capacity has been "disabled" as a result, though the BBC has not independently verified this figure. Ukraine argues that Russian oil and gas facilities are legitimate targets, as Moscow relies heavily on fossil fuel exports to fund its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.#vladimir_putin #volodymyr_zelensky #st_petersburg #aleksandr_beglov #kostyantynivka
Zelensky Returns Highest Polish Honour After Award Stripped Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has returned Poland’s highest honour, the Order of the White Eagle, after Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced the award would be stripped from him. The decision follows Ukraine’s controversial renaming of a military unit to commemorate the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a World War Two group that Poland accuses of committing genocide against ethnic Poles. Zelensky’s return of the award, which was originally bestowed in 2023 by former Polish President Andrzej Duda, marks a symbolic gesture of reconciliation amid escalating tensions between the two nations. The dispute erupted after Kyiv renamed a Ukrainian army unit in honor of the UPA, a group that Ukraine regards as national heroes who fought for independence against Soviet, Nazi, and Polish forces during the 1940s and 1950s. The UPA’s red and black flag is now a common sight among Ukrainian troops on the front lines. However, Poland has long condemned the UPA for its role in the Volhynia massacres, during which an estimated 100,000 Poles were killed in 1943–45. Polish officials argue that the UPA’s actions were part of a broader campaign of ethnic cleansing against Poles in the region. Nawrocki, who took office in 2023, described Ukraine’s decision to name the unit after the UPA as “outrageous,” “incomprehensible,” and “deeply disappointing.” He emphasized that the move not only harms Poland’s historical memory but also undermines the trust built between the two countries during the war against Russia. Despite the diplomatic fallout, Nawrocki reiterated Poland’s unwavering support for Ukraine, noting that the dispute would not affect the alliance’s cooperation.#ukraine #poland #andrzej_duda #karol_nawrocki #volodymyr_zelensky
Trump Announces Three-Day Ceasefire Between Russia and Ukraine Donald Trump has announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, following accusations from both sides that each had violated separate ceasefires declared to mark the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany. The agreement, which Trump described as a suspension of all kinetic activity and a prison swap involving 1,000 prisoners from each country, was confirmed by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian state media. The ceasefire, set to begin on 8 May, coincides with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, which will feature no military hardware for the first time in nearly two decades. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously announced a ceasefire for 8-9 May to safeguard the Victory Day parade in Red Square, while Kyiv had called for an indefinite truce starting 6 May. However, both sides accused each other of breaching the ceasefire shortly before its implementation. The Russian defense ministry claimed Ukraine was targeting civilian areas near the Kursk and Belgorod regions, prompting a “mirror response” from Moscow. Meanwhile, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that approximately 20 drones had been downed near the city in the first two hours of the ceasefire. Ukraine’s emergency services also reported significant activity during the ceasefire, with Zelensky stating that over 140 attacks had occurred on Ukrainian positions in the first few hours. He warned that his country would “act in kind” against any violations. The ceasefire’s effectiveness remains uncertain, as both nations continue to accuse each other of undermining the agreement. The ceasefire comes amid heightened security measures for Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. Moscow and St.#donald_trump #vladimir_putin #volodymyr_zelensky #sergey_sobyanin #dmitry_peskov
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 24, 2026 Russian forces launched nearly 1,000 drones and missiles against Ukraine in a prolonged strike series from the evening of March 23 to the evening of March 24, marking the largest such attack of the war. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched 426 drones and missiles overnight, followed by 556 drones during the day, totaling over 1,000 strike assets. Of these, Ukrainian forces downed 256 drones and 25 missiles overnight, and 541 of the 556 drones launched during the day. The strikes targeted multiple regions, including Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Vinnytsia, and Zaporizhia, with damage reported to civilian, energy, and transport infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that overnight strikes killed at least four civilians and targeted 11 oblasts. Russian forces struck a UNESCO World Heritage site in Lviv City during the day on March 24. Drones attacked the Bernardine Monastery in central Lviv, causing a fire. Lviv Oblast Military Administration Head Maksym Kozytskyi noted that damage assessments are ongoing. The strikes represented a significant shift in Russian tactics, allowing Russia to threaten more areas of Ukraine for extended periods and disproportionately target civilian regions. Ukrainian defense experts observed that Russia extended the duration of its strike packages to identify vulnerabilities in Ukrainian air defenses and overwhelm them with a mix of drones and missiles. Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces often launched minimal missiles for multiple days before deploying large strike packages, likely stockpiling weapons to maximize damage.#ukraine #volodymyr_zelensky #russian_offensive_campaign_assessment #chernihiv #dnieper_oblast
Russia's long exclusion from international sports events is set to end as its athletes will compete under their national flag at the Winter Paralympics for the first time since 2014. The decision marks a significant shift, with six Russian and four Belarusian athletes set to participate in the Games, despite ongoing tensions with Ukraine. The move has sparked widespread controversy, with Ukrainian athletes boycotting the opening ceremony and several nations expressing opposition. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifted its partial ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes last year, allowing them to compete in the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics. However, the IPC's decision was based on the argument that the athletes' participation did not directly promote Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. The organization cited concerns over the integrity of the Games and the risk of a boycott by other nations. This led to a partial suspension of bans in 2023, permitting athletes to compete as neutrals in the Paris Paralympics. The current arrangement allows Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags, a change that has drawn sharp criticism. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the decision as "awful," while some Ukrainian athletes have refused to participate in the Games altogether. The IPC has faced backlash from countries like Germany, the UK, and Italy, which have expressed solidarity with Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian officials accuse boycotting teams of politicizing the Paralympic movement. The decision has also raised questions about the broader implications for international sports. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has previously barred Russian athletes from competing as neutrals due to doping scandals and the Ukraine conflict.#russia #ukraine #belarus #international_paralympic_committee #volodymyr_zelensky
