Ukraine War News Highlights, 28 August 2025: Germany opens new Rheinmetall arms plant to bolster defense and aid for Ukraine

Defense contractor Rheinmetall has opened a new arms and explosives factory in Germany, a move German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described as a signal of the country's commitment to supporting Ukraine and strengthening its own military, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. The new plant is a direct manifestation of Germany's 'Zeitenwende' or 'turning point' policy, a strategic shift involving increased defense spending that followed Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The facility is intended to boost the production of military supplies, particularly ammunition, to aid Ukraine's ongoing war effort and help Germany meet its own defense and NATO commitments.

Germany's government has passed a bill to encourage military service and increase troop numbers, a measure driven by the changed security landscape in Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. The proposal is part of Germany's 'Zeitenwende' (turning point) policy to modernize its military, the Bundeswehr, and address recruitment shortfalls. The bill aims to make service more attractive through incentives rather than reintroducing full mandatory conscription, which was suspended in 2011. The move has prompted some public opposition, with protesters reportedly blocking a military recruitment office in Cologne.

For the first time, Russian forces have seized several villages in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, a vital industrial and logistical hub that had previously served as a relatively safe rear area, according to a report in The New York Times. While the territorial gain is considered minor, it is symbolically significant as it demonstrates Russia's ability to open new fronts and further stretch Ukraine's already strained defensive lines. This development brings the ground war closer to central Ukraine and provides the Kremlin with what is described as another bargaining chip in potential future negotiations.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone call on Thursday to discuss peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to a report in Reuters. A Turkish Foreign Ministry source stated that Fidan conveyed to Blinken that Turkey is prepared to fulfill its responsibilities in a potential peace process.

Weeks of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian oil refineries have crippled the country's refining capacity, sparking a domestic fuel crisis, according to a report in The Guardian. Despite its status as a major energy exporter, Russia is experiencing significant disruptions, with motorists facing long queues, some petrol stations running dry, and fuel prices surging to record highs in several regions. The situation highlights the impact of Ukraine's long-range attacks on Russia's internal economy and infrastructure.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will be among the world leaders attending a military parade in Beijing hosted by President Xi Jinping next week, in what is being reported as a show of defiance amid Western pressure, The Guardian says in a report. The event on September 3 commemorates the anniversary of Japan's formal surrender in the Second World War. According to China's foreign ministry, few Western leaders are expected to be present, with the notable exception of Robert Fico, the prime minister of European Union member state Slovakia.

Following a military breakthrough two weeks ago northeast of Pokrovsk in Ukraine's Donbas region, Russian forces have pushed Ukrainian troops back and are now advancing rapidly, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. The fast-moving front line currently threatens the town of Dobropillia and surrounding villages in the Donetsk Oblast, prompting civilian evacuations as the fighting moves closer.

All 32 NATO members are projected to meet the alliance's long-standing goal of spending 2% of their GDP on defense this year, according to a report in AP. This marks the first time all allies have reached the target, a development spurred by security concerns following Russia's war in Ukraine and sustained pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. However, new data released Thursday shows that only three members are set to meet a more ambitious spending target of 3.5% of GDP that was agreed upon in June.

Russian forces have extended their encirclement of the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kupiansk and launched a deadly attack on Kyiv, according to a report in Al Jazeera. Concurrently, Moscow has rejected a diplomatic push from the United States for a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The European Commission has summoned Russia's top diplomat in Brussels over an attack that damaged a European Union building in Kyiv, as per a report in AP. The diplomatic summons is a direct response to the damage sustained by the EU's facility in the Ukrainian capital amid ongoing Russian attacks.

Russian officials are intensifying a campaign to push the country's 100 million WhatsApp users towards a homegrown messaging system named 'Max', according to a report in The Washington Post. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign-made applications and increase state control over digital communications, which has escalated since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This pressure campaign involves encouraging users to switch rather than imposing an outright ban, following Russia's earlier actions against other foreign platforms and the 2022 designation of WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, as an "extremist organization." The government's goal is to migrate users from the end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp to a domestic alternative over which it can exercise greater control and surveillance.

Russian officials are intensifying a campaign to push the country's 100 million WhatsApp users towards a homegrown messaging system named 'Max', according to a report in The Washington Post. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign-made applications and increase state control over digital communications, which has escalated since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This pressure campaign involves encouraging users to switch rather than imposing an outright ban, following Russia's earlier actions against other foreign platforms and the 2022 designation of WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, as an "extremist organization." The government's goal is to migrate users from the end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp to a domestic alternative over which it can exercise greater control and surveillance.

Russian officials are intensifying a campaign to push the country's 100 million WhatsApp users towards a homegrown messaging system named 'Max', according to a report in The Washington Post. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign-made applications and increase state control over digital communications, which has escalated since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This pressure campaign involves encouraging users to switch rather than imposing an outright ban, following Russia's earlier actions against other foreign platforms and the 2022 designation of WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, as an "extremist organization." The government's goal is to migrate users from the end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp to a domestic alternative over which it can exercise greater control and surveillance.

Russian officials are intensifying a campaign to push the country's 100 million WhatsApp users towards a homegrown messaging system named 'Max', according to a report in The Washington Post. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign-made applications and increase state control over digital communications, which has escalated since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This pressure campaign involves encouraging users to switch rather than imposing an outright ban, following Russia's earlier actions against other foreign platforms and the 2022 designation of WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, as an "extremist organization." The government's goal is to migrate users from the end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp to a domestic alternative over which it can exercise greater control and surveillance.

Russian officials are intensifying a campaign to push the country's 100 million WhatsApp users towards a homegrown messaging system named 'Max', according to a report in The Washington Post. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign-made applications and increase state control over digital communications, which has escalated since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This pressure campaign involves encouraging users to switch rather than imposing an outright ban, following Russia's earlier actions against other foreign platforms and the 2022 designation of WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, as an "extremist organization." The government's goal is to migrate users from the end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp to a domestic alternative over which it can exercise greater control and surveillance.

Russian officials are intensifying a campaign to push the country's 100 million WhatsApp users towards a homegrown messaging system named 'Max', according to a report in The Washington Post. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign-made applications and increase state control over digital communications, which has escalated since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This pressure campaign involves encouraging users to switch rather than imposing an outright ban, following Russia's earlier actions against other foreign platforms and the 2022 designation of WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, as an "extremist organization." The government's goal is to migrate users from the end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp to a domestic alternative over which it can exercise greater control and surveillance.

A mass Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine's capital early Thursday killed at least 14 people and wounded 48, local authorities said, according to a report in AP. The strike, which included a rare attack on central Kyiv, was the first major combined assault on the city in weeks and occurred as U.S.-led peace efforts to end the war have reportedly stalled.

Russian officials are intensifying a campaign to push the country's 100 million WhatsApp users towards a homegrown messaging system named 'Max', according to a report in The Washington Post. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign-made applications and increase state control over digital communications, which has escalated since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This pressure campaign involves encouraging users to switch rather than imposing an outright ban, following Russia's earlier actions against other foreign platforms and the 2022 designation of WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, as an "extremist organization." The government's goal is to migrate users from the end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp to a domestic alternative over which it can exercise greater control and surveillance.

A mass Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, killed at least 12 people and wounded 48 early Thursday, according to a report in AP. The assault, which included a rare strike on the city's center, was the first major combined attack on Kyiv in weeks. The attack comes as U.S.-led peace efforts to end the war have reportedly stalled.

Russian officials are intensifying a campaign to push the country's 100 million WhatsApp users towards a homegrown messaging system named 'Max', according to a report in The Washington Post. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign-made applications and increase state control over digital communications, which has escalated since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This pressure campaign involves encouraging users to switch rather than imposing an outright ban, following Russia's earlier actions against other foreign platforms and the 2022 designation of WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, as an "extremist organization." The government's goal is to migrate users from the end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp to a domestic alternative over which it can exercise greater control and surveillance.

Russian officials are intensifying a campaign to push the country's 100 million WhatsApp users towards a homegrown messaging system named 'Max', according to a report in The Washington Post. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign-made applications and increase state control over digital communications, which has escalated since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This pressure campaign involves encouraging users to switch rather than imposing an outright ban, following Russia's earlier actions against other foreign platforms and the 2022 designation of WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, as an "extremist organization." The government's goal is to migrate users from the end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp to a domestic alternative over which it can exercise greater control and surveillance.

Russian officials are intensifying a campaign to push the country's 100 million WhatsApp users towards a homegrown messaging system named 'Max', according to a report in The Washington Post. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign-made applications and increase state control over digital communications, which has escalated since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This pressure campaign involves encouraging users to switch rather than imposing an outright ban, following Russia's earlier actions against other foreign platforms and the 2022 designation of WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, as an "extremist organization." The government's goal is to migrate users from the end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp to a domestic alternative over which it can exercise greater control and surveillance.

Russian officials are intensifying a campaign to push the country's 100 million WhatsApp users towards a homegrown messaging system named 'Max', according to a report in The Washington Post. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign-made applications and increase state control over digital communications, which has escalated since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This pressure campaign involves encouraging users to switch rather than imposing an outright ban, following Russia's earlier actions against other foreign platforms and the 2022 designation of WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, as an "extremist organization." The government's goal is to migrate users from the end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp to a domestic alternative over which it can exercise greater control and surveillance.

Russian officials are intensifying a campaign to push the country's 100 million WhatsApp users towards a homegrown messaging system named 'Max', according to a report in The Washington Post. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign-made applications and increase state control over digital communications, which has escalated since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This pressure campaign involves encouraging users to switch rather than imposing an outright ban, following Russia's earlier actions against other foreign platforms and the 2022 designation of WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, as an "extremist organization." The government's goal is to migrate users from the end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp to a domestic alternative over which it can exercise greater control and surveillance.

The leaders of France, Germany, and Poland have visited Moldova to show support for the country's plan to join the European Union amid concerns over Russian pressure, according to a report in BBC. The high-level visit comes just weeks before Moldova holds a presidential election and a public referendum on its EU membership. This move is seen as a direct effort to bolster Moldova's pro-Western government and counter Russian influence in the region, which has intensified following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The latest WTA rankings show Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at number one, with Russian players Mirra Andreeva and Ekaterina Alexandrova also in the top 15, according to a report in AP. The rankings, which also list Ukrainian Elina Svitolina at number 15, underscore the continued participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in top-tier tennis amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. These players are competing as 'individual neutral athletes' without national symbols, a policy by the WTA that remains a point of tension within the sport, particularly for Ukrainian competitors.

Russian forces have captured villages in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time, marking a minor but symbolic expansion of the conflict westward, The New York Times says in a report. This development represents a westward extension of Russia's main offensive operations, which have been concentrated in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. The gain, while limited in territorial scope, puts new pressure on Ukraine's stretched military resources by opening another front in what is a significant industrial and transportation hub. The seizure is viewed as an attempt by the Kremlin to secure another bargaining chip for any potential future negotiations.

Both Russia and Ukraine have intensified attacks on each other's energy infrastructure in a strategic shift away from the main front lines, according to a report in The New York Times. These strikes are aimed at inflicting economic pain, disrupting military fuel supplies, and undermining the adversary's societal resilience. The actions are also interpreted as attempts by both sides to signal their resolve and improve their bargaining positions for any potential future peace negotiations, sending a message to international partners like the United States. Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil refineries are an asymmetric response to Russia's larger military, while Russia's barrages seek to cripple Ukraine's power grid and economy.

The United States has implemented new tariffs aimed at pressuring Russia to end its war in Ukraine, according to a report in Politico. The levies are intended to punish India, which has become one of Russia's largest oil customers, as part of a broader strategy to reduce Moscow's energy revenues. This action is causing significant diplomatic friction and straining the relationship between Washington and New Delhi.

The Trump administration has enacted higher tariffs on specific refined petroleum products from India in an action ostensibly aimed at penalizing Russia for the war in Ukraine, Foreign Policy says in a report. This measure is a response to India's significant purchases of discounted Russian crude oil, which is then refined and exported, a practice the US views as potentially undermining G7 sanctions and the price cap on Russian oil. Despite the geopolitical motivation, global oil markets have shown a minimal reaction, suggesting the volume of Indian exports affected by the tariffs is not substantial enough to disrupt global supply or pricing.

The German government passed a bill to encourage voluntary military service, aiming to bolster the country's troop numbers and modernize its armed forces (Bundeswehr), Deutsche Welle says in a report. This initiative is a direct consequence of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's 'Zeitenwende' (turning point) policy, which was announced in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the resulting heightened threat to European security. The bill is not a reintroduction of the mandatory conscription that was suspended in 2011, but rather a new model to attract volunteers. While the government is moving to meet its NATO defense commitments, the measure has faced some opposition, with protesters blocking a military recruitment office in Cologne.

US President Donald Trump expressed strong frustration on Tuesday regarding the stalled bilateral talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, The Washington Times said in a report. He reportedly used an expletive to convey his disgust with the absence of meaningful progress in diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict.

The United States has implemented tariffs of up to 50% on some Indian products in response to India's continued purchase of Russian oil despite pressure related to Western sanctions, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. The new duties are a direct result of India's refusal to curb its imports of discounted Russian crude, which the US administration under President Donald Trump views as undermining the sanctions regime imposed on Russia over the war in Ukraine. Consequently, Indian exporters are now bracing for a significant drop in orders from the US.

Recent talks between representatives of three European powers and ministers from Iran regarding its nuclear activities have concluded with little evidence of progress, The New York Times said in a report. The diplomatic efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, are significantly complicated by Iran's military cooperation with Russia. Iran's supply of Shahed drones, which are used by Russia in its war against Ukraine, has become a major point of contention for Western negotiators, adding a layer of complexity to the discussions and deepening the strategic alignment between Tehran and Moscow.

In response to the changed security landscape in Europe following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Germany's government has proposed a new plan to bolster its armed forces, according to a report in The New York Times. The proposal, part of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's 'Zeitenwende' (turning point) policy, aims to address personnel shortages in the Bundeswehr by either boosting voluntary recruitment or potentially reintroducing a form of compulsory military service, which was suspended in 2011. The plan has sparked debate, with some critics arguing the measures are insufficient to meet recruitment goals, while others express concern over a potential return to forced conscription.

Ukraine is raising the age limit for its wartime travel ban on men to 23, now permitting those aged 18 to 22 to leave the country, as per a report in The New York Times. The policy change addresses a situation where teenage boys were leaving Ukraine before their 18th birthday to avoid being trapped by the previous rule, which barred men aged 18 to 60 from travel under martial law. This adjustment is a response to social pressures and is part of a wider effort to refine mobilization strategies amid ongoing manpower needs for the war against Russia.

As part of Europe's continuing effort to diversify energy sources away from Russia following the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a Canadian minister has estimated that liquefied natural gas (LNG) could be exported from a Canadian Arctic port to Europe in approximately five to seven years, Politico said in a report. The comments signal a potential revival of a plan that had been stalled since 2022. This development represents a long-term strategic option for European energy security rather than an immediate solution to supply issues related to the ongoing war.

Germany's car industry has shed 51,500 jobs over the past year, representing nearly 7% of its workforce, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. While faltering exports to the US and China due to new tariffs are cited as a direct cause, the economic consequences of the Russia-Ukraine War are a significant contributing factor. The conflict has led to sustained high energy prices in Europe following a reduction in Russian gas supplies, which has increased production costs for the energy-intensive auto sector. Broader economic uncertainty, inflation, and supply chain disruptions linked to the war and subsequent EU sanctions have further dampened global demand and business investment, compounding the industry's challenges.

A massive Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, killed at least four people and injured 24 early Thursday, according to a report in AP. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that two children were among the dead, with casualty numbers expected to rise as rescue teams work to pull people from the rubble. The head of Kyiv's city administration, Tymur Tkachenko, said the assault involved a combination of decoy drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.

More than 100,000 homes in Ukraine are without electricity following a recent wave of Russian drone attacks on the country's energy infrastructure, BBC says in a report. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the impact of the latest strikes, which represent a continuation of Russia's strategy to target and degrade Ukraine's power grid. The attacks were reportedly carried out using kamikaze drones aimed at critical energy sites to cause widespread disruption.

Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries are causing disruptions in some parts of Russia, according to a report in AP. The strikes are reportedly impacting regional infrastructure and creating supply issues.

The Trump administration has imposed a 50% tariff on India over its continued purchases of Russian oil, a measure which has now officially taken effect, as per a report in AP. This action targets India for becoming one of Russia's largest energy customers since the invasion of Ukraine.

German Vice Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck has announced his retirement from the Bundestag, Germany's main legislative body, Deutsche Welle said in a report. As a leading minister, Habeck was central to Germany's efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian energy and diversify its power sources following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He was also a key participant in the government's decision-making process regarding military and financial aid to Kyiv.

Intense fighting persists along the eastern and southern fronts on day 1,281 of Russia's war in Ukraine, with both sides conducting ongoing military operations, according to a report in Al Jazeera. Ukrainian forces continue to utilize Western-supplied weaponry in their counter-offensive efforts, while international discussions are ongoing regarding the scope and delivery of future military and financial aid packages. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to secure a peaceful resolution to the conflict remain largely stalled, with no significant breakthroughs reported.

Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries have led to fuel shortages in some regions across Russia, with the strikes impacting local fuel availability and depleting supplies in certain areas, according to a report in AP.

Leaders from Germany, France, and Poland visited Moldova to mark its 34th independence anniversary, with German opposition leader Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron voicing strong support for the country's path to European Union membership, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. The visit and statements of support are significant amid heightened regional security concerns due to Russia's ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine, reinforcing the EU's geopolitical backing for Moldova's pro-Western government.

Germany has launched a new recruitment drive to increase the number of personnel in its armed forces, a move that does not currently include the reintroduction of conscription, AP says in a report. This initiative is a direct result of Germany's 'Zeitenwende' (turning point) policy, a strategic shift announced following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The policy aims to significantly bolster the country's defense capabilities and meet its commitments to NATO's collective defense posture in response to the war.

Ukraine is advancing a multiple citizenship law to include Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, and has upgraded its domestically-produced Neptune missile system, according to a report in the Kyiv Independent. Amid these developments, Poland's president has vetoed an aid law for Ukraine and threatened the country's access to Starlink services. Separately, India is reducing its imports of Russian oil following the implementation of additional US tariffs. Reports also indicate political friction, as former Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi is said to have declined a call from US Vice President J.D. Vance.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has proposed levying 50% tariffs on India in response to its continued procurement of Russian oil, as per a report in AP. This proposed trade measure is a development connected to the economic pressure campaigns stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war.

German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has inaugurated a new factory dedicated to producing 155mm artillery shells, a critical munition for Ukraine's defense efforts, as per a report in Deutsche Welle. The facility's opening is a direct response to sustained high demand and is a tangible result of Germany's 'Zeitenwende' (turning point) defense policy, which was initiated following Russia's full-scale invasion. This development is intended to bolster both Ukraine's supply chain and the overall defense industrial capacity of Germany and its European allies, addressing the depletion of NATO stockpiles used to support Kyiv.

A 50% tariff imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump on all imports from India went into effect Wednesday, according to a report in The Hill. This action follows threats from the president of "severe consequences" for trading partners that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas. The move comes as President Trump also continues to push for a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine following recent meetings with the leaders of both countries.

The President of Poland has vetoed legislation that would have extended social welfare benefits for Ukrainian refugees, a move affecting hundreds of thousands of people, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. The decision also places Poland's funding for the critical Starlink satellite communications service, used by Ukraine's military, at risk. This action marks a significant development concerning Poland's level of support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia.

Ukraine has acknowledged for the first time that Russian troops have entered the central Dnipropetrovsk region, with a military spokesperson confirming that fighting is ongoing, as per a report in The Guardian. While Ukraine's general staff denied Moscow's claims of capturing two villages in the oblast, a battlefield monitor with close military ties reported that Russian forces had occupied them and were consolidating their positions. In a separate development, Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that men aged 18 to 22 are now permitted to leave the country under a change to martial law. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated he is engaging with Turkey, Gulf states, and European nations to host potential peace talks, while also noting that Russia continues to avoid genuine negotiations. Meanwhile, a presumed Ukrainian drone crashed in Estonia, which officials believe was diverted by Russian electronic warfare.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has put forward a peace proposal to end the war in Ukraine that involves the Donetsk region in the country's east, according to a report in The Hill. The statement was made by Steve Witkoff, an envoy for US President Donald Trump, who noted that Ukraine is unlikely to accept the offer. Witkoff, a real estate developer and associate of the president, does not hold an official position in the US government.

Recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries have caused significant disruptions, leading to fuel shortages and rationing in some regions, AP says in a report. Motorists are facing long queues at gas stations that have run dry, while officials in affected areas have resorted to rationing or halting sales. The economic impact is evident in the wholesale market, with prices for A-95 gasoline on the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange surging to record highs, approximately 50% higher than in January. While these shortages are affecting several regions, Moscow has been largely spared from the disruption.

Recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries have led to fuel shortages in certain regions within Russia, as per a report in AP. The strikes on energy infrastructure are reportedly impacting the domestic fuel supply in the affected areas.

A number of pregnant soldiers are continuing their service in the Ukrainian armed forces, with some positioned on the front lines of the war against Russia, according to a report in The New York Times. The soldiers state their motivation for fighting is to secure a safe future for their country and their own children.