The Russia-Ukraine conflict, now over 1,220 days long, has seen Russia escalate its military actions, aiming to fully annex Ukraine. Ukrainian forces face nearly 700,000 Russian troops, especially around strategic areas like Pokrovsk. The US has paused military aid, but Europe and Canada pledged $35 billion in support for early 2025. The UK and Norway are providing technical assistance, while Ukraine develops its own missile technology. Ukraine’s ambitions to join NATO and the EU continue, despite Russia’s concerns and EU’s sanction disagreements.

Russian forces claim to have seized control of a village near lithium deposits in eastern Ukraine, despite fierce Ukrainian resistance. The Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday that they have taken control of Novoselivka and Shevchenko in Donetsk. Meanwhile, both Russia and Ukraine have conducted another prisoner exchange, with soldiers returning to their respective countries. However, there has been no progress on peace talks.

The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has announced the purchase of 12 American F-35 fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons. This move marks the biggest upgrade to the UK’s nuclear forces in a generation. The announcement was made during the NATO summit in the Netherlands and was praised by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The decision aligns with NATO members’ commitment to increase security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, enhancing defense and resilience efforts.

At least 10 people have died following a large-scale Russian drone and missile strike on Kyiv and surrounding areas, according to Ukrainian officials. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, described it as another major assault directly targeting residential zones. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia deployed 352 drones, 11 ballistic missiles, and 5 cruise missiles during the attack.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the U.S. strikes on Iran have “diminished the threat posed by Tehran’s nuclear program.”

He added, “Iran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. While the Middle East remains unstable, our priority is peace and stability in the region.” Starmer urged Iran to return to diplomatic talks and resolve the crisis peacefully.

Palestine Action has launched an attack on a Royal Air Force (RAF) base located in the Midlands region of the United Kingdom, protesting the UK’s support of Israeli actions in Gaza.

The group reported that two of its members entered the RAF base in Brize Norton, where they spray-painted the engines of a military aircraft named Voyager and damaged them using metal rods.

Palestine Action accused the UK government of publicly criticizing Israel while continuing to send military cargo. The organization claimed that the UK is actively involved by flying surveillance drones over Gaza’s skies and supplying fuel to American and Israeli warplanes.

“Britain is not just a bystander but an active participant in the genocide in Gaza and war crimes across the Middle East,” the group stated.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged Donald Trump to avoid military action against Iran, warning that it could dangerously escalate tensions in the region. He emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions and noted ongoing discussions between the UK and the US. The remarks come ahead of UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s visit to Washington, where he will meet with Trump’s top diplomat Marco Rubio to discuss ways to ease tensions in the Middle East.

As tensions between Iran and Israel escalate, the UK Foreign Office has advised its citizens to avoid travel to Israel for the time being. British nationals already in Israel or occupied Palestinian territories are urged to follow local guidance and take precautions for their safety. The advisory was issued with the safety and security of British citizens as the top priority.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, en route to the G7 summit in Canada, announced the deployment of additional Royal Air Force (RAF) jets to the Middle East. He said the move is intended to bolster emergency support efforts in the region amidst escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. The deployment will include Typhoon fighter jets and air-to-air refueling aircraft, as part of the UK’s commitment to stabilizing the situation in the region.

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer has declined to meet Bangladesh’s interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus, who is visiting London to gather support for efforts to recover billions allegedly stolen by the ousted Sheikh Hasina regime. Yunus claims the UK has a moral and legal obligation to help trace the funds, much of which is believed to be in Britain. The investigations have embarrassed the UK Labour Party, with MP Tulip Siddiq resigning earlier over links to the Awami League’s alleged corruption.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit Canada from June 14 to 15, meeting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa. Their talks will focus on bilateral relations, security, economic cooperation, and handling the U.S. President. Following this, Starmer will attend the G7 summit in Alberta from June 15 to 17. The visit aims to strengthen UK-Canada economic and security partnerships. Meanwhile, efforts continue to arrange a meeting between Starmer and Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus during his London visit.

Following peace talks in Turkey, Russia and Ukraine announced on Tuesday that they had completed a prisoner exchange involving seriously wounded and sick soldiers. This exchange came a day after the two countries carried out a swap of prisoners under the age of 25. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that this marks the first phase of repatriating Ukraine’s critically injured soldiers, all of whom require immediate medical attention. "We are making every effort to locate and bring back all our prisoners," he said. Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that Russian prisoners were first transported to Belarus, located between the two warring nations, before being returned to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation.

The UK, along with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway, has imposed sanctions on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes, targeting them personally. The joint move emphasizes support for a two-state solution and condemns extremist settler violence. Israel’s government has rejected the sanctions, with Netanyahu vowing retaliation. This coordinated action highlights Israel’s growing international isolation over its policies toward Palestinians.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed deep anguish over the situation in Gaza while accepting an honorary degree from the University of Manchester.
“What’s happening in Gaza is heartbreaking. It hurts my entire body,” said Guardiola. “This is not about ideology or politics. When children aged four or five are killed by bombs, when hospitals cease to function—this is about humanity.”
He added, “Be careful. The next child could be ours. Since the nightmare in Gaza began, I’m scared every morning when I look at my children’s faces.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused the Trump administration of diverting 20,000 promised anti-drone missiles meant for Ukraine to U.S. forces in the Middle East. These missiles, Zelensky said, were crucial for countering Iranian-designed Shahed drones frequently used by Russian forces. The Biden administration later signed a new deal to address the shortfall. Meanwhile, Russia launched its largest single-night drone and missile attack on Ukraine on Monday, firing 479 drones and 20 missiles in what has been described as the heaviest assault since the war began.