Russian missile strikes on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dobropillia overnight have killed 11 people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday, describing the attack as further proof that Russia’s objectives remain unchanged. The strikes, which also left over 30 people injured, including five children, have heightened concerns as Ukraine faces growing military pressure while awaiting renewed U.S. support.

Escalating Russian Attacks Amid U.S. Aid Freeze

The attacks come at a pivotal moment in the war, with the United States pausing military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine as part of efforts to pressure Kyiv into negotiations for a peace deal. The suspension has left Ukraine more vulnerable to Russian assaults, further tilting the battlefield in Moscow’s favor.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump—who has been pushing for a ceasefire—suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin was merely responding to battlefield conditions, saying he was “doing what anybody else would do” in taking advantage of Ukraine’s weakened position.

Zelensky condemned the strikes as “a vile and inhumane tactic of intimidation”, calling for stronger air defenses and tougher sanctions against Russia.

“Everything that helps Putin finance the war must break,” Zelensky stated, emphasizing the need for continued international pressure.

Deadly Toll Across Ukraine

Russian attacks in the past 24 hours have killed at least 23 people and wounded over 50 others in eastern and southern Ukraine, local officials reported.

• In Donetsk, Russian strikes killed nine people and injured 13.
• A drone attack in the Kharkiv region killed three people and wounded seven.
• In Kherson, five people were injured in Russian strikes.

Ukraine’s air force said it had intercepted 79 out of 145 drones launched by Russia overnight, while at least 54 drones did not reach their intended targets. Additionally, Russian forces fired three missiles, with Ukraine’s defenses managing to intercept one.

The strikes come just days after a devastating Russian airstrike on Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky’s hometown, adding to the growing toll on Ukrainian cities.

Ukraine’s Kursk Incursion Under Pressure

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military is facing mounting pressure in the Russian region of Kursk, where its forces are at risk of losing a key logistical route. Ukrainian and Russian military bloggers have reported a deteriorating situation following the arrival of 12,000 North Korean troops, which have bolstered Russia’s efforts to reclaim lost ground.

Ukraine had launched a surprise incursion into Kursk in August, marking the first foreign invasion of Russian territory since World War II. The move was designed to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and strengthen Kyiv’s position in future ceasefire talks.

However, Ukraine has now lost nearly half of the territory it had seized in Kursk, and Russian forces have advanced into Ukraine’s Sumy region, potentially cutting off Ukrainian troops still operating in Kursk.

With the battlefield shifting and the future of U.S. military aid uncertain, Ukraine faces an increasingly difficult fight to maintain its defensive lines while keeping pressure on Russia’s own borders.

Zelensky is set to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman next week to discuss Kyiv’s military needs and ongoing negotiations with the United States, signaling a critical moment in the war’s trajectory.

In a major crackdown on the drug trade, France will transfer 200 of its most dangerous drug traffickers to high-security prisons, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced on Thursday. The move is aimed at preventing incarcerated traffickers from continuing their criminal operations from behind bars.

Speaking in an interview with France 2, Darmanin emphasized his commitment to tackling the drug trade, which has been a key priority since he assumed the role in December. He described the measure as a decisive strike against organized crime, stating, “I have decided to strike hard.”

The inmates will be transferred to two maximum-security facilities: Vendin-le-Vieil prison in the northern Pas-de-Calais department and Condé-sur-Sarthe prison in the western Orne department. The first group will be relocated by late July, while the second transfer will be completed by mid-October.

“That makes 200 drug traffickers, who by October 15, will be completely isolated from the rest of society,” Darmanin said, highlighting that the prisons will undergo renovations to make them “completely hermetic”—ensuring absolute isolation from external networks.

The Justice Minister’s plan involves relocating inmates within the French prison system to free up space at the two designated facilities. However, he assured that the most dangerous inmates, including Islamist terrorists and high-risk criminals, would remain in place. “We will leave the most dangerous people in place,” he confirmed.

Darmanin’s initiative follows his recent consultations with European counterparts on strategies to combat drug trafficking. Last month, he visited Italy to tour high-security prisons and met with Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio and National Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor Giovanni Melillo to discuss effective measures.

Drug-related violence remains a significant concern in France. According to the French Ministry of the Interior, 110 people were killed and 341 others injured in drug-related incidents last year alone. The government hopes that isolating key traffickers will help curb criminal activities linked to the illicit drug trade.

The new measures are part of a broader effort by the French government to strengthen law enforcement and dismantle drug networks. Darmanin has vowed to continue pushing for stricter policies and increased cooperation with European partners in the fight against organized crime.

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is at risk of collapse after Israel blocked humanitarian aid into Gaza, following Hamas’ rejection of an Israeli proposal to extend the truce without committing to a full withdrawal of troops or a permanent end to the war.

Hamas has accused Israel of violating the agreement, calling the aid blockade “cheap blackmail” and a “war crime.” Meanwhile, international aid groups and the United Nations have condemned Israel’s decision, while Egypt, a key mediator, declared that it “unequivocally rejects the politicization of humanitarian aid.”

Hostage Negotiations Stall

According to Israeli authorities, 59 hostages remain in Gaza following the return of four bodies last week. Of these, 24 are believed to be alive. The delay in negotiating their release has added further tension to the truce discussions.

The United States has sent Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to the region in an effort to either extend Phase I of the agreement or move to Phase II, which was meant to see the release of all living hostages and a total Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Breakdown of the Ceasefire Agreement

The ceasefire, initially implemented in three phases, has faced multiple setbacks.

• Phase I (January 19 – March 2): Hamas was expected to release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and increased humanitarian aid. Ultimately, 38 hostages were freed over 39 days, while Israel released 1,737 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces also withdrew to Gaza’s border regions, leaving urban centers and key corridors.
• Phase II (Scheduled for March 3): This phase was supposed to focus on negotiations for a permanent ceasefire, Israeli troop withdrawal, and the release of remaining hostages. However, talks have stalled, with both sides blaming each other.

On Friday, an Israeli delegation abruptly left Cairo, while a Hamas spokesperson claimed that no active negotiations were underway due to Israeli delays.

Israel’s Position

The Israeli government has proposed a 42-day extension of Phase I, allowing for the continued exchange of hostages and prisoners while keeping aid flowing into Gaza—but without committing to ending the war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the idea came from US envoy Witkoff, though Washington has yet to confirm this claim.

Israel says Hamas rejected the proposal, prompting Netanyahu to order a halt on all aid deliveries to Gaza.

Israeli PMO statement:
“In light of Hamas’ refusal to accept the Witkoff framework, Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided that as of this morning, all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will be stopped.”

The statement also warned of further consequences if Hamas refuses to accept Israel’s terms.

Hamas’ Response

Hamas is insisting on proceeding with Phase II, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal and a permanent ceasefire. The group denounced Israel’s proposed extension of Phase I as an attempt to evade its commitments.

Hamas statement:
“This is a blatant attempt to avoid entering Phase II. The only way to secure the return of hostages is for Israel to uphold its commitments and begin negotiations immediately.”

Hamas has appealed to mediators such as Egypt and Qatar to put pressure on Israel to resume aid deliveries and adhere to the full terms of the agreement.

International Reactions

The United Nations, Egypt, and aid organizations have strongly criticized Israel’s move to block humanitarian aid.

• Egypt called on the international community to take action, saying Israel is using aid as a tool for political blackmail.
• Qatar stated that “food must not be used as a weapon” and condemned the suspension of aid.
• UN Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher warned that stopping aid deliveries violates international humanitarian law, urging that the ceasefire be maintained.

Meanwhile, White House officials have publicly backed Israel, with National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes saying that Israel has negotiated in good faith and blaming Hamas for derailing the process.

What’s Next?

With humanitarian aid suspended and hostage negotiations stalled, fears are growing that the ceasefire could collapse entirely. Far-right ministers in Netanyahu’s government are pressuring for a return to full-scale war, and analysts suggest that the new Trump administration may be less inclined to push for a peaceful resolution.

In a press release, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum called on President Trump to negotiate a comprehensive deal to bring all captives home in a single phase, stating that time is running out for those still held in Gaza.

Additionally, an Israeli source told CNN that Israel will not withdraw its forces from the Gaza-Egypt border, a condition that Hamas views as essential for Phase II to proceed.

As tensions escalate, Gaza’s population of over 2 million faces the risk of losing what little aid it had received. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned that even during the truce, aid restrictions have severely limited humanitarian relief efforts, with food and medical supplies still in short supply.

Over the weekend, Israeli airstrikes targeted northern and southern Gaza, with Palestinian health officials reporting at least four casualties. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they fired at individuals attempting to plant explosives, further raising concerns about whether the ceasefire will hold.

For now, the truce remains fragile, with diplomatic efforts ongoing—but without significant progress, the region could see a return to full-scale conflict in the coming days.