#war

The EU has released €6.1 billion in defence funding for Ukraine on its 35th Independence Day, as Kyiv reported strikes on Russian targets and allies debated further military support.

Russia issued a sharp warning to Britain over its drone supplies to Ukraine; London responded it stands shoulder to shoulder with Kyiv in its defence.

Ukraine drone strikes killed 5 and wounded 25 in Russia's Belgorod overnight. Russia hit Kharkiv, Odessa port, and two Sumy refineries. Ukraine is also buying $283M in US-made ATACMS rockets via Turkey.

Security conditions in Zaporizhzhia, a densely populated Ukrainian city close to the front line, are deteriorating sharply as Russia escalates targeted strikes against civilian infrastructure including schools, office buildings and public transport.