By EMMA BURROWS, BEN FINLEY and KONSTANTIN TOROPIN Associated Press
The U.S. military is waiting for clarity from the Pentagon following President Donald Trump's back-and-forth on troop levels in Europe. That's upending the lives of military personnel and potentially costing taxpayers millions of dollars. That's according to two U.S. defense officials who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters. NATO allies were bewildered in May when Trump said he would send 5,000 U.S. troops to Poland just weeks after ordering the same number pulled out of Europe. U.S. Transportation Command says sending all the equipment to Europe for the canceled unit cost the military $32 million.
Ukrainian long-range drones have struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, setting it ablaze, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attack comes as the Russian city hosts a major event for attracting foreign capital. The drones flew over 1,000 kilometers to hit the terminal, a day after Moscow launched a major attack on Kyiv. Russian authorities confirmed the strike but provided few details. The city's airport briefly suspended flights, and mobile internet services were cut off. Both sides have been launching long-range strikes as the war continues with no end in sight.
By SAMYA KULLAB and VASILISA STEPANENKO Associated Press
Russian forces launched a massive aerial attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, and officials say at least 22 civilians were killed and 138 were wounded. The assault with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles began overnight and continued during the day. In the central city of Dnipro, officials said rescue crews searching the rubble recovered the bodies of a 3-year-old child as well as those of a woman and her 8-year-old son. Kyiv residents have been on edge after Russia warned last week of a massive attack. President Vladimir Putin has intensified Moscow's campaign, exploiting Ukraine's shortage of air defense systems. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for more support from the U.S. and Europe.
By STEPHEN McGRATH and NICOLAE DUMITRACHE Associated Press
Romanian authorities say a Russian drone that was part of an overnight attack on Ukraine crashed into an apartment building in eastern Romania. Two people had minor injuries and several were evacuated. The Defense Ministry said Friday the drone was tracked by radar in Romanian airspace and crashed onto the roof of a building in Galati. Russia has been using long-range ballistic missiles and drones to damage Ukraine's power grid and hammer cities, and Ukraine has braced for further heavy bombardments. Romania's Foreign Ministry said the country is asking NATO for a faster transfer of anti-drone capabilities to its military.
The Israeli military has told residents across southern Lebanon to leave as it expands its operations there. The statement says the military will "work with extreme force" against Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group. The warning on Wednesday is the first since a ceasefire went into effect on April 17, and came amid a rising escalation in the Israel-Hezbollah war, with Israeli troops crossing the Litani River and edging closer to the southern city of Nabatiyeh. The escalation comes two days before Lebanese and Lebanese military officials were scheduled to meet at the Pentagon to discuss among things strengthening the ceasefire agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has written to U.S. President Donald Trump and Congress asking for more air defense ammunition. Kyiv said on Wednesday that the request comes as Russian missile attacks escalate. Zelenskyy also warned that U.S. stockpiles are being drained due to the attacks and the Iran war. Meanwhile, Russian lawmakers want bank staff to help combat Ukrainian drones. A draft bill suggests banks install jamming systems and train employees to intercept drones. The measure reflects Russia's struggle against Ukraine's drone innovations. The U.K. intelligence reports that nearly 500,000 Russian troops have been killed since the conflict began.
U.S. military contractors will need at least three years to replenish stockpiles of three key weapons systems used in the Iran war. That's according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The findings released Wednesday by the Washington think tank add to concerns American forces would have limited firepower in any future conflict with China. The weapons are Tomahawk cruise missiles and Patriot and THAAD interceptors that defend against incoming missiles and drones. President Donald Trump's Republican administration is ramping up defense spending and manufacturing. But it could still take years to rebuild inventories because contractors aren't used to producing the advanced weapons on such a large scale.
Ukraine's air force says Russia launched over 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight. The attacks follow Russia's warning to foreign citizens and diplomats on Monday to leave Kyiv, citing its planned "systemic strikes" on the Ukrainian capital. Despite the threats, the European Union and other delegations say they will stay. Ukraine's foreign ministry says the security threat level remains unchanged. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy highlights a shortage of air defense missiles, partly due to the Iran war. Analysts suggest Russia's warnings aim to distract from its military struggles and economic issues caused by the ongoing conflict.
Israel's military is clashing with the militant Hezbollah group along a strategic river in Lebanon. The clashes come as Israeli troops are pushing farther north, just days before Lebanese and Israeli delegations are to meet for talks in Washington. Lebanon is hoping for an agreement that would lead to Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. The Litani River has been a de facto boundary, with areas to the south under Israeli control despite a nominal ceasefire. Tuesday's intensified strikes follow a warning by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. One Israeli strike killed a family of 12 in the eastern village of Mashghara. Hezbollah launched several attacks on Israeli troops along the river.
