• Ukraine has taken steps to overcome its manpower challenges on the front lines against Russia by expanding its pool of eligible conscripts, according to US Army General Christopher Cavoli, the highest-ranking American military officer in Europe. On Thursday, Cavoli also warned that halting the supply of US weapons and shared intelligence would significantly weaken Ukraine's defense capabilities, even as it diversifies its arsenal through other international suppliers.

Ukraine has taken steps to overcome its manpower challenges on the front lines against Russia by expanding its pool of eligible conscripts, according to US Army General Christopher Cavoli, the highest-ranking American military officer in Europe. On Thursday, Cavoli also warned that halting the supply of US weapons and shared intelligence would significantly weaken Ukraine's defense capabilities, even as it diversifies its arsenal through other international suppliers.

• Cavoli, head of US European Command and NATO's supreme allied commander in Europe, testified before US lawmakers, stating Ukraine relies heavily on American-provided long-range air defense systems. He emphasized that without US intelligence inputs, Ukraine would face difficulty striking high-level targets like military hubs and supply depots located deep behind enemy lines.

Cavoli, head of US European Command and NATO's supreme allied commander in Europe, testified before US lawmakers, stating Ukraine relies heavily on American-provided long-range air defense systems. He emphasized that without US intelligence inputs, Ukraine would face difficulty striking high-level targets like military hubs and supply depots located deep behind enemy lines.

• Ukraine currently holds ground within Russia’s Kursk region, according to Cavoli, who further noted that Russia has lost approximately 4,000 tanks—amounting to nearly the whole inventory of American armored vehicles.

Ukraine currently holds ground within Russia’s Kursk region, according to Cavoli, who further noted that Russia has lost approximately 4,000 tanks—amounting to nearly the whole inventory of American armored vehicles.

• EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas stated that European allies now provide more than 50% of Ukraine’s munitions, recently estimated at 2 million rounds by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “Things are progressing efficiently … we must ensure aid deliveries happen swiftly,” she said Thursday.

EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas stated that European allies now provide more than 50% of Ukraine’s munitions, recently estimated at 2 million rounds by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “Things are progressing efficiently … we must ensure aid deliveries happen swiftly,” she said Thursday.

• A Czech initiative to provide Ukraine with artillery shells has received new funding to guarantee supply through September, according to Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky. Speaking ahead of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting, Lipavsky confirmed the support came from Canada, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

A Czech initiative to provide Ukraine with artillery shells has received new funding to guarantee supply through September, according to Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky. Speaking ahead of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting, Lipavsky confirmed the support came from Canada, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

• A Russian drone assault struck residential areas in Kharkiv late on Thursday, igniting fires and claiming at least three lives, with many others wounded, according to regional officials. The north-eastern city has faced nearly nightly drone attacks. Additional injuries occurred in Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv. Meanwhile, Russia alleged that a Ukrainian drone strike in Bryansk killed one person and injured another.

A Russian drone assault struck residential areas in Kharkiv late on Thursday, igniting fires and claiming at least three lives, with many others wounded, according to regional officials. The north-eastern city has faced nearly nightly drone attacks. Additional injuries occurred in Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv. Meanwhile, Russia alleged that a Ukrainian drone strike in Bryansk killed one person and injured another.

• Reports on Thursday described intense fighting in Russia’s western Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops reportedly remain entrenched, including inside a monastery. Russian military agencies and pro-Kremlin bloggers indicated combat in the villages of Gornal, Guevo, and Oleshnya along the Ukraine border. Ukraine has yet to comment, and Reuters could not independently confirm the details.

Reports on Thursday described intense fighting in Russia’s western Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops reportedly remain entrenched, including inside a monastery. Russian military agencies and pro-Kremlin bloggers indicated combat in the villages of Gornal, Guevo, and Oleshnya along the Ukraine border. Ukraine has yet to comment, and Reuters could not independently confirm the details.

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the border-adjacent Sumy region on Thursday. “We are reinforcing our positions and understand the enemy's tactics,” he said. “Regardless, we will defend our nation, our sovereignty, and our citizens.” The trip follows military warnings of increased Russian pressure on northeastern border fronts in an effort to breach Sumy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the border-adjacent Sumy region on Thursday. “We are reinforcing our positions and understand the enemy's tactics,” he said. “Regardless, we will defend our nation, our sovereignty, and our citizens.” The trip follows military warnings of increased Russian pressure on northeastern border fronts in an effort to breach Sumy.

• Russia claimed on Thursday that its forces had seized the eastern Ukrainian settlements of Vesele and Lobkove. Reuters noted it could not independently verify the battlefield developments.

Russia claimed on Thursday that its forces had seized the eastern Ukrainian settlements of Vesele and Lobkove. Reuters noted it could not independently verify the battlefield developments.

• The Russian government on Thursday banned the Elton John AIDS Foundation from operating in the country, designating the organization as “undesirable.” Known for his longstanding popularity in Russia, Elton John has performed there extensively since Soviet times. Since beginning its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has cracked down on NGOs, including banning entities like Greenpeace, the World Wildlife Fund, and Radio Free Europe.

The Russian government on Thursday banned the Elton John AIDS Foundation from operating in the country, designating the organization as “undesirable.” Known for his longstanding popularity in Russia, Elton John has performed there extensively since Soviet times. Since beginning its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has cracked down on NGOs, including banning entities like Greenpeace, the World Wildlife Fund, and Radio Free Europe.

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed American commitment to NATO but insisted allies must boost their defense budgets significantly. Ahead of NATO’s upcoming summit in The Hague, ex-President Trump urged members to raise defense spending targets to 5% of GDP—well above current contributions. Poland is nearing that mark after hitting 4.7% this year. NATO chief Mark Rutte commented, “We’re seeing substantial investments—billions of euros are pouring in.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed American commitment to NATO but insisted allies must boost their defense budgets significantly. Ahead of NATO’s upcoming summit in The Hague, ex-President Trump urged members to raise defense spending targets to 5% of GDP—well above current contributions. Poland is nearing that mark after hitting 4.7% this year. NATO chief Mark Rutte commented, “We’re seeing substantial investments—billions of euros are pouring in.”

• Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, during talks with NATO foreign ministers, called for more pressure on Moscow. “As the focus shifts to trade disputes, we must remember Europe is experiencing full-fledged war,” he stated. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide added that economic cooperation—not protectionism—would support the resources needed for stronger defense.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, during talks with NATO foreign ministers, called for more pressure on Moscow. “As the focus shifts to trade disputes, we must remember Europe is experiencing full-fledged war,” he stated. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide added that economic cooperation—not protectionism—would support the resources needed for stronger defense.

• The US has opted out of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression (ICPA), which coordinates evidence gathering on alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine, according to Eurojust President Michael Schmid. “We regret the decision, but continue collaborating with the remaining partners,” he said. The ICPA operates under Eurojust, the EU’s judicial cooperation agency.

The US has opted out of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression (ICPA), which coordinates evidence gathering on alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine, according to Eurojust President Michael Schmid. “We regret the decision, but continue collaborating with the remaining partners,” he said. The ICPA operates under Eurojust, the EU’s judicial cooperation agency.

• A Russian court sentenced 23-year-old Stanislav Ilchuk to 14 years in prison for torching railway apparatus as part of a pro-Ukrainian sabotage scheme. Russia’s rail infrastructure has suffered numerous attacks since the conflict began. In a related case, two other young men in Saratov region were sentenced to 14 and 12 years for setting fire to another railway signaling unit.

A Russian court sentenced 23-year-old Stanislav Ilchuk to 14 years in prison for torching railway apparatus as part of a pro-Ukrainian sabotage scheme. Russia’s rail infrastructure has suffered numerous attacks since the conflict began. In a related case, two other young men in Saratov region were sentenced to 14 and 12 years for setting fire to another railway signaling unit.