Ukrainian authorities say Russian drone and missile strikes during the night and into daylight hours Tuesday killed at least 22 people and wounded more than 80 others. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday criticized Moscow for launching the attacks after Russia announced a temporary unilateral ceasefire for later this week. Russia's Defense Ministry declared a ceasefire for Friday and Saturday. But it warned of retaliation if Kyiv disrupts Victory Day festivities. Ukrainian forces have also continued their attacks on Russian areas by targeting oil facilities. Russia said that it destroyed 289 Ukrainian drones overnight across 18 regions. Both sides remain deeply mistrustful of each other which is complicating ceasefire efforts.
By EDITH M. LEDERER and FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press
Russia and China have vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The resolution, sponsored by Bahrain, had been repeatedly watered down because of opposition from Russia and China. The vote took place just hours before an 8 p.m. Eastern time deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran to open the strategic waterway or face attacks on its power plants and bridges. One-fifth of the world's oil typically passes through the strait, and Iran's stranglehold during the war has sent energy prices soaring.
By SAM MEDNICK, KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and SEUNG MIN KIM Associated Press
Officials say a U.S. fighter jet has been shot down in Iran and one crew member was rescued. It's first aircraft downed since the war began nearly five weeks ago. It marked a major escalation in the conflict just two days after President Donald Trump said in a national address that the U.S. has "beaten and completely decimated Iran." Separately, a second U.S. Air Force combat aircraft went down in the Middle East on Friday, according to a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive military situation. It was not clear if the aircraft crashed or was shot down or whether Iran was involved.
By JOSEPH KRAUSS, AAMER MADHANI and MATTHEW LEE Associated Press
Updated
After months of gridlock, the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza came together in a matter of days after a deft maneuver — or perhaps a misunderstanding — by President Donald Trump that boxed in the two adversaries. Either way, efforts to wind down the devastating war have seen a breakthrough. The last hostages are set to be returned under the agreement announced Wednesday. Major questions remain, including over governance and reconstruction of Gaza as well as whether Hamas will disarm. But it appears for now as though the fighting will pause. That's because at a critical moment last week, Trump took Hamas' very conditional response to his proposal as a yes.
