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U.S. to Announce $1.25 Billion Military Aid Package for Ukraine
The United States is set to announce a $1.25 billion (€1.2 billion) military aid package for Ukraine, U.S. officials revealed on Friday. The move comes as President Joe Biden seeks to bolster Ukraine’s defenses before leaving office in January.
The comprehensive package includes a significant supply of munitions for advanced air defense systems such as the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and the HAWK air defense system. It will also deliver Stinger missiles and artillery rounds, including 155 mm and 105 mm shells, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the details have yet to be officially announced.
Timing of the Announcement
The official announcement is expected on Monday. This aid package arrives amidst intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Ukrainian forces have reported successfully intercepting a substantial number of missiles and drones targeting their power facilities.
The announcement also comes as fierce battles continue near the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has reportedly deployed thousands of North Korean troops to reclaim territory lost to Ukraine.
Urgency Ahead of Administration Change
With only weeks left in office, the Biden administration is racing against the clock to transfer as much military support as possible to Ukraine. Concerns have arisen about the remaining $5.6 billion (€5.3 billion) in Pentagon-authorized aid for Ukraine, as officials have acknowledged that not all of it may be delivered before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.
Trump has expressed skepticism about the scale of U.S. military aid to Ukraine and suggested he might pursue a negotiated settlement with Russia, claiming on the campaign trail that he could end the war “in one day.” This has sparked fears among U.S. and European leaders that support for Ukraine could diminish under his administration, potentially leaving Kyiv in a vulnerable position.
Strengthening Ukraine’s Position
The new aid package is part of the presidential drawdown authority, allowing the Pentagon to rapidly transfer weapons from its stockpiles to Ukraine. Officials hope the influx of aid will fortify Ukraine’s position should President Volodymyr Zelenskyy opt to engage in negotiations with Moscow.
Additionally, about $1.2 billion (€1.15 billion) in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative remains available for future weapons contracts, with deliveries extending beyond 2024.
If confirmed, this latest package will bring total U.S. military assistance to Ukraine to over $64 billion (€61 billion) since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
News
Two Dead, Nearly 200 Injured as PSG Title Celebrations Turn Violent Across France

What began as jubilant celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League victory ended in violence and tragedy in parts of France, with two people killed and nearly 200 injured during street festivities that spiraled out of control.
Authorities confirmed on Sunday that a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the southwestern town of Dax during a PSG street gathering, while in Paris, a man died after his scooter was struck by a car amid the crowded celebrations. Both incidents are currently under investigation.
The unrest followed PSG’s dramatic win in Munich, where the club secured its first-ever Champions League title, marking a milestone in French football history. While fans across the country took to the streets to celebrate, several areas descended into violence.
According to the French Interior Ministry, a total of 294 people were arrested nationwide as of 2 a.m. Sunday. Of the nearly 200 injured, 21 were police officers—18 of them in Paris alone. One officer remains in a medically induced coma after being struck in the face by a firework.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence in a statement on social media. “True PSG fans are celebrating a magnificent achievement. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement,” he said. “It is unacceptable that people cannot celebrate without being endangered by a violent minority.”
Despite the unrest, the majority of gatherings were peaceful, authorities noted, with large crowds celebrating the historic win in cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Lille.
The PSG squad returned to Paris from Munich on Sunday afternoon aboard a Qatar Airways charter flight, arriving at 4 p.m. The team is expected to continue celebrations in the capital with tens of thousands of fans, under heightened security measures.
The violent turn of events has reignited debate in France over crowd control during major sporting celebrations, and how best to ensure public safety without dampening national enthusiasm.
PSG’s Champions League triumph marks a defining moment for the club, which has long pursued European glory. As the team prepares for a hero’s welcome, officials are urging fans to celebrate responsibly and respect public safety.
News
Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Russian Airfields, Hits Over 40 Strategic Bombers

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale drone strike on four Russian air bases over the weekend, targeting dozens of strategic bombers across vast swaths of Russian territory — from Siberia to the Arctic.
According to Ukrainian officials, the operation, codenamed “Spiderweb” (Pavutyna), was launched on June 1 and struck 41 long-range bombers stationed at airfields in Russia’s Ryazan, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, and Murmansk regions. The attack is being hailed by Kyiv as one of its most ambitious and far-reaching strikes since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” a senior SBU official said, noting that the operation was specifically designed to cripple Moscow’s airstrike capabilities. “This is a large-scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.”
The four airfields targeted were Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, Ivanovo in central Russia, Belaya air base in Irkutsk — over 4,000 kilometers from the front lines — and Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.
Ukrainian officials described the complex logistics of the operation, which involved covertly transporting drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them until the time of launch, and remotely executing the strikes. While specific details remain classified, Ukraine previously revealed it had developed drones with a flight range of up to 3,000 kilometers, enabling long-range operations like this.
Satellite imagery analyzed after the attack shows the presence of several high-value Russian aircraft types at the affected bases, including the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 radar planes. These aircraft have been central to Russia’s long-range missile campaign against Ukraine.
The Tu-22M3, for example, is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 4. The Tu-95, a Cold War-era bomber once designed to carry nuclear weapons, has been retrofitted to launch conventional cruise missiles. The A-50 aircraft provides airborne radar surveillance and target coordination for Russian forces.
The scale of the strike underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range capabilities and signals a shift in Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian air operations at their source. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held meetings with the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, along with the General Staff and SBU, to coordinate further defense and counter-offensive planning.
There has been no immediate official response from Moscow regarding the extent of damage caused.
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