Russia wrapped itself in patriotic pageantry for Victory Day, as President Vladimir Putin celebrated the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II by hailing his forces in Ukraine and blasting the West for fueling conflicts around the world. Putin has turned the holiday into a pillar of his nearly quarter-century in power and a justification of his military action in Ukraine. Even though few World War II veterans are still alive 79 years after Berlin fell to the Red Army, the victory over Nazi Germany remains the most important symbol of the country's prowess. The Soviet Union lost about 27 million people in the war, an estimate that many historians consider conservative. Thursday's festivities honor that sacrifice.

U.S. and Philippine forces, backed by an Australian air force surveillance aircraft, have unleashed a barrage of high-precision rockets, artillery fire and airstrikes and sank a mock enemy ship as part of large-scale war drills in and near the disputed South China Sea that have antagonized Beijing. Military officials and diplomats watched the display of firepower from a hilltop on Wednesday. Washington and Beijing have been on a collision course over China's increasingly assertive actions to defend its vast territorial claims in the South China Sea. Last year, the Philippines approved a wider U.S. military presence in the archipelago. China opposed the move, which puts U.S. forces across the sea from Taiwan. The Philippines countered it has the right to defend its sovereignty.

Ukraine's president says Russia has launched a massive nighttime attack on energy facilities across Ukraine, targeting seven regions with more than 50 missiles and drones. Officials say the bombardment blasted targets in areas including Kyiv and parts of the south and west, damaging homes and the country's rail network. Three people, including an 8-year-old girl, were injured. The attack occurred on the day Ukraine celebrates the defeat of Nazism in World War II. Russia has repeatedly pounded Ukraine's energy infrastructure during the war that is stretching into its third year and has claimed thousands of lives. By taking out power, the Kremlin's forces aim to rob Ukrainian manufacturing of its energy supply, especially military plants, and crush public morale.

Ukrainian energy workers are struggling to repair the damage from intensifying airstrikes aimed at pulverizing Ukraine's energy grid. They worry they will lose the race to prepare for winter unless allies come up with air-defense systems to stop Russian missiles from reaching their targets. At one plant that was damaged last week, manager Oleh says there is one thing they need most: Patriot missiles. The Associated Press on Thursday visited an energy plant days after it was damaged in a cruise-missile attack. Owner DTEK says it has lost 80% of its electricity-generating capacity in almost 180 aerial attacks. It says repairing the damaged plants would take between six months and two years, even if there are no more strikes.

Approval by the U.S. House of Representatives of a $61 billion package for Ukraine puts the country a step closer to getting an infusion of new firepower. But the clock is ticking. Russia is using all its might to achieve its most significant gains since the invasion by a May 9 deadline. In the meantime, Kyiv has no choice but to wait for replenishment after months of rationing ammunition. The Pentagon has said it could get weapons moving to Ukraine within days if the Senate and President Joe Biden give final approval to the plan. Experts and Ukrainian lawmakers say it could take weeks for the assistance to reach troops.

European Union countries possessing Patriot air defense systems appear reluctant to give any to Ukraine. The country is desperately seeking at least seven of the missile batteries to help fend off Russian air attacks. At a meeting on Monday of EU foreign and defense ministers, countries with Patriots preferred to focus on the money they are spending to help Ukraine. Only Germany has come forward with a single Patriot missile battery in answer to Ukraine's latest request. A key advantage of the U.S.-made systems, apart from their effectiveness, is that Ukrainian troops are already trained to use them.

Israel and Iran are both playing down an apparent Israeli airstrike near a major air base and nuclear site in central Iran. The muted public responses signal the two bitter enemies are ready to prevent their latest eruption of violence from escalating into a full-blown regionwide war. But the indecisive outcome of weeks of tensions — which included an alleged Israeli strike that killed two Iranian generals, an unprecedented Iranian missile barrage on Israel and the apparent Israeli strike early Friday in the heart of Iran — has done little to resolve the deeper grievances between the foes and left the door open to further fighting.