Exclusives

These 19 signs from Ukraine’s anti-corruption protests will restore your faith in Gen Z. Ukraine’s “cardboard revolution” proved teenagers can save democracy with markers, literary references, and perfectly placed f-bombs.

“It’s high time” for Ukraine’s tanks as Russia encircles Pokrovsk. Russian units are closing a ring around Pokrovsk, and analysts say only Ukraine’s armored reserves can break it.

Hawk missiles are old but reliable. Ukraine wants all 40,000 America is sitting on. To strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses against Russia’s growing missile and drone attacks, the US has approved a new deal that taps into a vast Cold War missile stockpile.

They came. They cussed. They won.. Cardboard signs, three days, one very surprised president.

Military

Ukraine just took back Kindrativka and is pushing into Russian flanks in Sumy. Weeks into Russia’s push across the Sumy Oblast border, Ukrainian forces are holding positions and putting pressure on the enemy’s main axis.

Russia’s Volgograd railway power substation burns after night drone raid (video). Russian officials admit a strike knocked out electricity on rail lines near Zhutovo station.

Russian colonel killed while directing fresh attacks in Kharkiv Oblast, military says. Col. Lebedev commanded attacks near Velykyi Burluk until Ukrainian troops ended his push.

Intelligence and technology

Frontline report: Serbia’s big secret—shells for Ukraine, smiles for Moscow. Serbian factories have sent more than 100,000 shells and a million bullets to Ukraine through NATO partners. In Belgrade, the government still shakes hands with Moscow.

FT: 33,000 AI strike kits will help Ukraine target Russia’s drones – Pentagon is paying. The $50 million Pentagon contract equips Ukraine’s drones with AI software able to track targets and resist jamming.

WP: Ukraine gets three US-made Patriot systems that can stop Russian ballistic missiles under new deal. From the ruins of Dnipro to the burning skyline of Odesa, Russia’s war leaves no region untouched.

Humanitarian and social impact

Toddler hospitalized with shrapnel wounds after Russian overnight attack. The 3-year-old child was among eight civilians injured when a Russian drone struck a residential complex in Kyiv.

In Sumy, a child’s phone catches shrapnel—Russian drones keep targeting civilians. The assault injured several civilians. Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted dozens of drones while falling debris struck homes and warehouses.

Read our earlier daily review here.