Exclusives

43% of Russian POWs rated Ukrainians as less than fully human — and Kremlin propaganda explains why. The more a captured Russian soldier believed Kremlin narratives, the more likely he was to dehumanize Ukrainians on a validated scientific scale — a finding researchers say helps build the legal case against Russia's propagandists as abettors of aggression.

Military

Russia fired 1,770 drones at Ukraine in one week. Zelenskyy says the factories must be the target. Zelenskyy says the supply chains are known – and dismantling them is the only way to reduce attacks when air defenses can't cover everything.

Can Europe's SAMP/T replace Patriot against ballistic missiles? Ukraine will find out this year Zelenskyy said the system is "currently the only alternative in Europe" – and Middle East competition is already tightening the supply.

Russia concentrating its biggest push on Zaporizhzhia, now its primary axis – Syrskyi The commander-in-chief visited units near Huliaipole and ordered additional drones, ammo, and ground robots to the sector as fighting intensifies.

Ukraine finds Russian machine of death loaded and camouflaged in Crimean forest. It didn't get the chance The soldiers destroyed an armed Iskander launcher in Crimea before it could strike.

Kyiv troops hold positions while grinding forward on southern front—destroying Russian units along the way General Oleksandr Syrskyi visits the front personally, inspecting brigades and regiments.

Ukraine strikes Khanskaya airfield where Moscow trains its top military pilots. It's 500 kilometers inside Russian territory Ukraine struck the Khanskaya military airfield in Adygea overnight, home to Russia's 272nd Training Aviation Base.

F-16s did most of the work: Ukraine shot down every cruise missile Russia fired overnight Russia launched 498 aerial targets at Ukraine overnight.

Ukraine prioritises military fuel supply amid oil crisis sparked by US-Israeli operation against Iran Ukraine imported nearly 250,000 tonnes of fuel in March and has doubled its petrol reserves since 1 February — but the government's energy minister said the army, not the market, will be first in line if supplies tighten further.

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine proposed a $50 billion drone partnership with the US a year ago. Washington hasn't responded. Zelenskyy says the deal could involve joint manufacturing on US soil, with both militaries drawing from the same production line.

Sweden boards Russian shadow fleet tanker heading for Russian port under suspected false flag Prosecutors probe seaworthiness after coast guard stops sanctioned Sea Owl I off Trelleborg.

International

Russia's oil sanctions will return "as soon as" the Middle East crisis ends, Trump says. But there's no end in sight. The US president told NBC News the temporary easing was about keeping oil flowing, not rewarding Moscow.

Iran calls Ukraine legitimate target for aiding "Israel" with drone interceptors. For years, Tehran has armed Russia with Shaheds Iran has provided Russia with 57,000 drones to strike Ukraine since 2022.

Britain promises not to ease sanctions against Russia following US While the United States gave India a month to resume buying Russian oil and released strategic reserves to cool surging prices, Britain's energy minister said London would not loosen its sanctions regime, warning that doing so would hand Moscow funds for its war machine.

US eases Russia oil sanctions for 30 days to stabilize energy markets The US Treasury has authorized a 30-day window for countries to purchase an estimated 124 million barrels of Russian oil currently stranded aboard tankers worldwide, citing market disruption caused by the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

Humanitarian and social impact

Ukraine won 19 medals – and will boycott the closing ceremony, refusing to stand alongside Russia's Paralympic team The boycott bookends the entire Games: absent from the opening, absent from the closing, present on the podium.

Russia kills two medics with FPV drone strike on ambulance in Kharkiv Oblast A 27-year-old doctor and medical technician died before dawn near Kupiansk; prosecutors opened a war crime case.

Political and legal developments

Hungary returns Oschadbank's armored vehicles damaged—cash and gold remain seized Budapest handed back the collectors' cars with documented equipment failures—while keeping $40 million and €35 million in cash and 9 kg of gold.

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Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1481: Russia fired 1,770 drones at Ukraine in a single week