Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Trump and Putin of threatening NATO during an EU summit, warning Russia's ambitions extend beyond eastern Ukraine. Zelenskyy also criticized Trump for claiming he is harder to deal with than Putin, highlighting tensions between Ukraine and Western leaders.
Zelenskyy's remarks followed reports of Ukraine's successful counter-offensive, Operation Vivaldi, which has liberated 277 sq km in the Donbas region. The offensive, part of a broader push forcing Russia back, has resulted in significant Russian casualties while minimizing Ukrainian losses.
Ukraine's military relies heavily on Starlink for battlefield connectivity, but recent restrictions on the system have raised concerns. The restrictions, potentially linked to the White House, could impact Ukraine's ability to maintain aerial and ground operations.
Ukraine's advances have been acknowledged by pro-Russian military bloggers, though Russian officials have not publicly confirmed the gains. Despite the progress, Russian drones continue to pose a threat, with Ukrainian forces facing regular attacks and using advanced technology to counter them.