belarus
The Baltics urgently need a de-escalation mechanism; Belarus can help
Recent weeks have seen a significant escalation of military tensions in and around the Baltics. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, which are all NATO members, now experience regular incursions into their airspace by Ukrainian drones. According to both Kyiv and the Baltic capitals, those drones, en route to hit targets in western Russia, get diverted by Russian electronic jamming and end up entering these countries' territories. In early May, several stray unmanned aircraft crashed in Latvia, one of them damaging an oil storage facility. Those developments triggered a political crisis in Latvia and led to the collapse of its government.
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,389
What is in the 28-point US plan for Ukraine? 'Ukraine is running out of men, money and time' Can the US get all sides to end the war? Why is Europe opposing Trump's peace plan? Two people were killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on the Russian city of Saratov, regional Governor Roman Busargin said in a statement on Telegram. An unspecified number of people were also injured in the attack.
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,345
Trump-Xi meeting: Who has the upper hand? Could Trump go for a third term? Is the US eyeing its next Latin American target? Why is Trump tearing down parts of the White House? Russia's Ministry of Defence said its forces took control of the villages of Krasnohirske in Ukraine's Zaporizhia region and Sadove in the Kharkiv region, Russian state news agencies reported.
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,300
Is Chicago the violent crime capital of the US? How did India-US relations decline so fast? A Ukrainian drone attack killed two women in the village of Golovchino in Russia's Belgorod region, Russia's state TASS news agency reports. A man who was seriously injured in a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia's Belgorod region in April has died in hospital, TASS reports. TASS also reported that Russian forces shot down 82 Ukrainian drones in a 24-hour period.
Belarus and Russia's show of firepower appears to be a message to Europe
Belarus and Russia's show of firepower appears to be a message to Europe In a large field 45 miles (72km) from Belarus' capital Minsk, a battle is raging. There are giant explosions as Sukhoi-34 bombers drop guided bombs. Helicopter gunships join the attack, while surveillance drones sweep overhead to view the damage. Together with other international media we've been brought to the Borisovsky training ground where Belarusian and Russian forces are taking part in joint manoeuvres. Military attachés, too, from a variety of embassies are observing the drill from a viewing platform.
Belarus frees political prisoners in exchange for easing of US sanctions
Dozens of political prisoners have been freed from Belarusian prisons as part of a deal between authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko and US President Donald Trump. Fifty-two prisoners have been released, including trade union leaders, journalists and activists, but more than 1,000 political prisoners remain in jail. In exchange, the US has said it will relieve some sanctions on Belarusian airline Belavia, allowing it to buy parts for its airlines. The prisoner release came on the eve of joint military exercises involving Belarus and close ally Russia, and after what neighbouring Poland called an unprecedented Russian drone incursion into its airspace. Poland is closing its borders with Belarus because of the Zapad-2025 drills, which last until Tuesday.
Poland shoots down Russian drones: Will NATO enter war in Ukraine?
How is Russia replenishing its military? What is a'coalition of the willing'? How China forgot promises and'debts' to Ukraine How are Europe, the US pulling apart on Ukraine? Poland shoots down Russian drones: Will NATO enter war in Ukraine? Polish and NATO forces scrambled to intercept Russian drones which entered Poland's airspace early on Tuesday night and early on Wednesday, marking their first direct military engagement with Moscow since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,294
How is Russia replenishing its military? What is a'coalition of the willing'? How China forgot promises and'debts' to Ukraine How are Europe, the US pulling apart on Ukraine? A Russian air strike killed 24 elderly Ukrainians who were collecting pensions in eastern Ukraine's Yarova village, about 24km (15 miles) from the city of Sloviansk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Kyiv's allies to quickly boost supplies of air defence weapons to Ukraine and emphasised that Moscow interpreted a lack of stronger international sanctions on Russia as permission to continue its war.
Poland downs drones during airspace intrusion as Russia attacks Ukraine
How is Russia replenishing its military? What is a'coalition of the willing'? How China forgot promises and'debts' to Ukraine How are Europe, the US pulling apart on Ukraine? Polish and NATO forces have shot down drones violating the country's airspace during a Russian aerial attack on neighbouring Ukraine. Fighter jets were scrambled early on Wednesday as more than a dozen drones entered Polish airspace, the Polish military said.
Ukraine planning new strikes deep inside Russia, says Zelenskyy
Ukraine intends to strike deep into Russia following a large Russian drone attack that left 60,000 Ukrainians without electricity, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. Speaking on Sunday after a meeting with his top general, Oleksandr Syrskii, the Ukrainian president confirmed the new planned strikes on X. Both sides have intensified their air strikes in recent weeks, with Moscow attacking Ukraine's energy and transport systems as well as launching deadly strikes in recent days on civilian areas in Kyiv and Zaporizhia, and Ukraine targeting Russian oil refineries and pipelines. Overnight, Russian drones hit four energy facilities in Ukraine's Odesa region, according to the private energy company DTEK. The strikes left 29,000 people without electricity, local authorities reported.