Ukraine Hosts Global Leaders to Mark Conflict Anniversary and Advocate for Peace

A drone attack by Russia on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Friday night resulted in three fatalities and twelve injuries, as reported by Ukrainian officials. The attack involved 12 drones targeting residential buildings, vehicles, and communal structures, according to police statements. Regional head Ivan Fedorov revealed that emergency teams were deployed to search for survivors amidst the rubble. This escalation occurred despite a recently agreed limited ceasefire following discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. While the U.S. administration interpreted the ceasefire as encompassing "energy and infrastructure," the Kremlin clarified that it pertains strictly to "energy infrastructure." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed desires to include railways and ports under protection. The deceased casualties included three members of one family, highlighting the human toll of ongoing conflicts. In response to the drone assault, Ukraine’s military stated that it successfully intercepted a significant portion of the nearly 180 drones launched by Russia overnight, although Moscow also claimed to have downed 47 Ukrainian drones.

A Ukrainian artillery strike in eastern Ukraine's Luhansk region on Monday resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including three journalists, according to Leonid Pasechnik, the region's Russia-installed governor. The attack reportedly killed Alexander Fedorchak from Russia's Izvestia, Andrei Panov, and Alexander Sirkeli, associated with Zvezda, a television channel operated by Russia's Defence Ministry. In a tragic turn, a 14-year-old child was also reported killed in the incident. The strike adds to the ongoing violence that has marred the region as it remains under Russian control following its annexation alongside Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson during the extended conflict between Kyiv and Moscow. Pasechnik confirmed the fatalities via a post on Telegram. This event underscores the perilous conditions for journalists covering the war, as the conflict enters its fourth year, with many media personnel facing life-threatening circumstances. The international community continues to monitor developments in the region amid ongoing calls for peace negotiations.

Ukrainian forces are employing a new drone tactic involving incendiary munitions to ensure that incapacitated Russian tanks cannot be repaired. According to Business Insider, footage shows drones dropping molten thermite onto damaged Russian armor. The munitions, produced by a Ukrainian company named "Burning Watermelon," reach temperatures exceeding 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, effectively rendering impacted vehicles permanently inoperable. Volodymyr, a representative from Burning Watermelon, explained that the ammunition is designed to prevent the enemy from recovering and restoring their damaged vehicles. This approach is particularly crucial as Russia has lost over 11,000 tanks and armored vehicles since the onset of its invasion in February 2022, as reported by the UK's defense ministry. The drones can either disperse the thermite from the air or land on targets before releasing the incendiary material. This innovative tactic highlights the increasing role of drone technology in modern warfare, providing Ukrainian forces with a strategic advantage in the ongoing conflict against Russia.