Russia, Ukraine ramp up drone attacks overnight despite truce talks

"Russian bombardments in eastern Ukraine ramped up overnight, killing two people, as Ukraine hit Russia’s Engels military airfield in the country’s southwest region of Saratov with drones.
Both Russia and Ukraine stepped up aerial attacks in the early hours of Thursday as United States President Donald Trump pushes both sides to agree to a ceasefire after more than three years of fighting." Sputnik

155 clashes on frontline over past day

"Over the past day there were 155 combat clashes between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian troops.
Russian airstrikes targeted the settlements of Hremiach and Mykolaivka in Chernihiv region, Krasnopillia, Mykhailivske, Khmelivka, Samotoivka, Myropillia, Turia, Mala Rybytsia, Petrushivka in Sumy region, Zoria, Nova Poltavka, Hrodivka, Pokrovsk, Zelene Pole in Donetsk region, Velykomykhailivka in Dnipropetrovsk region, Yasna Poliana, Blakytne, Novoivanivka in Zaporizhzhia region, Burhunka, Virivka, Kherson, Tomarine,

Odradokamianka in Kherson region.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy unsuccessfully attempted to advance five times near Vovchansk and Dvorichna.
In the Kupiansk sector, six enemy assaults were repelled near Zahryzove and Petropavlivka.
In the Lyman sector, the Russians launched 15 attacks trying to advance near Yampolivka, Nove, Novomykhailivka, and Zelena Dolyna.
In the Siversk sector, one enemy attack was repelled near Verkhniokamianske.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the Russians carried out four assaults near Oleksandro-Shultyne, Minkivka, and Novomarkove.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy conducted 21 attacks near Krymske, Toretsk, Dachne, and Dyliivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian forces stopped 47 assaults near Tarasivka, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Lysivka, Novoukrainka, Kotlyne, Zvirove, Udachne, Uspenivka, Preobrazhenka, Oleksiivka, Valentynivka, Andriivka, and Serhiivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 13 enemy attacks near Pryvilne, Rozlyv, Burlatske, and Kostiantynopil.
In the Huliaipole sector, three assaults were stopped near Novopil.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian forces repelled seven attacks near Stepove, Lobkove, and Shcherbaky." Ukrin

Zelensky Backs Trump Proposal To Halt All Strikes On Energy Facilities

"Fresh off a Wednesday morning phone call with President Trump, Zelensky has said that he backs the US proposal to halt all strikes on energy facilities in the context of the Ukraine war, according to Bloomberg. Still, he has at the same time vowed to 'win this war'.

Just hours prior, overnight, Ukrainian drones had targeted a Russian oil facility in Krasnodar Region, resulting in damage and a large fire at a oil tank. The one-hour phone call was described as "very good" by Trump on Truth Social.
"Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs," the president wrote.
"We are very much on track, and I will ask Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, to give an accurate description of the points discussed." ZH

White House Says 'Peace To Begin' As Putin Agrees To Halt Attacks On Ukraine's Energy Facilities For 30 Days

"The call readouts from both sides are out, outlining the some 90-minute 'positive' conversation between Presidents Trump and Putin. The huge 'win' for Trump diplomacy is getting his Russian counterpart's agreement to halt all aerial strikes on Ukraine's badly

damaged energy infrastructure. This is a first of the war. It marks a huge victory for the White House, albeit much will be determined on Ukraine's willingness to cooperate. After all, Zelensky has been cut out of this deal-making and is in the meantime being urged on to escalate action from some quarters of Europe, particularly the UK, France, and the Baltic states. "Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace," the White House readout says. It pledges that Washington and Moscow will improve the bilateral relationship with an eye towards achieving "enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved." ZeroHedge

Russian army destroys oil refinery in Kharkiv region with drones

"A man is seen on the premises of an oil refinery destroyed by a Russian drone attack, Kharkiv region." Ukrin

Zelensky arrives in Finland

"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accompanied by First Lady Olena Zelenska, has arrived in Finland for an official visit." ZeroHedge

ECB Prepping The Ground For Digital Euro Launch

"The European Central Bank (ECB) is laying the groundwork for the probable launch of its

wholesale and retail central bank digital currency (CBDC), the Digital Euro. Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, shared this update at their latest press conference. 

President Lagarde stressed that the digital euro is ‘more relevant than ever,'” the ECB tweeted.
Lagarde emphasized that the Digital Euro, the EU’s CBDC solution, is set to launch in October 2025—provided it passes the legislative phase involving key stakeholders, including the European Commission, Parliament, and Council. Notably absent from this process is the European public, despite the significant impact this initiative will have on their daily lives." ZH

Permanent War Back On, Netanyahu Declares Hostage Talks Continue "Only Under Fire"

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it very clear Tuesday in his first remarks

since a major Israeli assault was unleashed on the Gaza Strip within 24 hours prior that the country has returned to full-on war against Hamas in Gaza.
He insisted in a televised address from Tel Aviv that Israel "will continue to fight" until all of its war goals are achieved, which includes the return of all remaining captives and the final destruction of Hamas. He further stressed that under his leadership Gaza will never again constitute a threat to Israel.
He declared that any negotiations on restoring the ceasefire will continue "only under fire." ZeroHedge

Key elements of Ukraine peace deal set, Trump says

"President Donald Trump believes that “many” components of a peace agreement for the Russia-Ukraine war have already been settled. 

Trump reiterated his concern over the human cost, asserting that “thousands of young soldiers, and others” are dying." NV

Houthis hit back at US bombings on Yemen with attack on aircraft carrier

"Houthi rebels claimed to have twice attacked an American aircraft carrier group within 24 hours, calling it retaliation for deadly U.S. strikes that killed dozens of civilians. The Houthis initially said they launched 18 missiles and a drone at the "aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman and its accompanying warships" in the Red Sea, before hours later claiming to have fired a second round." msn

German media told to conceal Nazi symbols in Ukraine

"The German government has ordered national media outlets not to show Nazi symbols in

Ukraine, according to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). Journalists have been warned that they may face legal repercussions for broadcasting any such imagery, the agency reported on Monday.
The guidelines advise reporters to “politely” ask Ukrainian soldiers displaying the swastika or other Nazi-associated symbols to remove the “agitation elements” and avoid “unwelcome actions,” such as performing the Nazi salute, according to the SVR." RT

Israel resumes airstrikes in Gaza

"Israel has resumed airstrikes in Gaza following the collapse of talks with Hamas over the

release of the remaining hostages and the implementation of the ceasefire.
In a statement in the early hours of Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they were “conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip.” RT

155 combat clashes over past day

"155 combat engagements between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders were recorded.
Russian forces carried out airstrikes in the areas of the following settlements: Lyptsi, Martynivka, Pishchane, Shabelne, Doroshivka, Mala Shapkivka in Kharkiv region; Pokrovsk, Novopavlivka, Leontovychi, Zvirove, Novoserhiivka, Horikhove, Nadiivka, Oleksiivka, Odradne, Rozlyv, Shevchenko, Novopil in Donetsk region.
In the Kharkiv sector of the front, the enemy unsuccessfully tried to advance near Vovchansk area.

In the Kupiansk sector, there were nine Russian attacks. The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled assault actions aimed at the settlements of Petropavlivka, Zahryzove, Kamianka, Zapadne, Kruhliakivka, and Bohuslavka.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy attacked 10 times, attempting to advance in the areas of Balka Zhuravka, Yampolivka, Novomykhailivka, Nove, Olhivka, Zarichne, and Zelena Dolyna.
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled three attacks near Bilohorivka and towards Verkhniokamianske.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian forces conducted seven attacks in near Chasiv Yar, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Stupochky, Predtechyne, and Kurdiumivka.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy carried out 25 attacks on Ukrainian positions near Toretsk, Dachne, Druzhba, Ozarianivka, Dyliivka, and Leonidivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders halted 44 Russian assault actions near Vodiane Druhe, Svyrydonivka, Promin, Novopavlivka, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novooleksandrivka, Bohdanivka, Lysivka, and Andriivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 14 attacks in the areas of Oleksiivka, Pryvilne, and Kostiantynopil, as well as towards Vesele and Rozlyv.
In the Huliaipole sector, the Ukrainian Defense Forces halted 10 Russian attacks in near Novosilka and Novopil.
In the Orikhiv sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled two attacks in the areas of Stepove and Lobkove.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Ukrainian forces successfully stopped one enemy attack.
In Russia’s Kursk region, Ukrainian troops repelled 18 Russian attacks. The invaders also conducted 30 airstrikes, using 42 glide bombs, and carried out 301 artillery shellings, nine of which were from MRLS.
In the Volyn and Polissia sectors, there are no signs of the formation of enemy offensive groups." Ukrin

Germany Pledges Hundreds Of Millions To Syrian Regime Despite Sectarian Massacres

"Sectarian mass killings in Syria have been going on for over a week at this point. Armed men affiliated with self-declared President Ahmed al-Sharaa's security forces (Jolani's HTS/AQ-linked militants) have killed thousands of Alawites and in some cases Christians.

Reports from last week also said Jolani's radical Sunni gangs are burning fields and forests in order to smoke out Alawite families in hiding, literally hunting down the Alawite minorities. Thousands are still taking shelter at a Russian airbase on the coast, afraid to return to their homes.
Apparently this genocide doesn't matter to Germany's leaders, who on Monday declared they are pledging an additional €300 million ($326 million) in aid, much of which will go to the government - though not all." ZeroHedge

Russian drone attacks hospital grounds in Kherson

"Russian drone attacked the grounds of a city hospital in Kherson, damaging a service vehicle. Earlier, Ukrinform reported that Russian drones struck a residential building in Kherson, causing a fire on several floors." Ukrin