Russian invasion

The world's response
Rubio warns: "Trump is losing patience with Russia"

Donald Trump is "losing patience" with Russia over its handling of the war in Ukraine, says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an interview with Fox News.

- Even though we have very good contacts with Vladimir Putin, it never leads to anything, so it's time to take action, he says.

The move comes two weeks after the Trump administration gave the Kremlin 50 days to agree to a peace deal, something that was met with criticism for giving Putin free rein during the deadline, writes Kyiv Independent. 

The fighting
"Navy Day" canceled after Ukrainian drone threat

St. Petersburg's annual celebration of "Navy Day" has been canceled due to the security situation, writes Moscow Times.

The parade was to be held on Sunday but extensive drone attacks put a stop to it. The cancellation of the celebration is seen as a sign of the Kremlin’s concern over Ukraine’s increasing ability to conduct drone strikes deep into Russian territory.

“The fireworks, the grand naval parade, and the procession of sailing, rowing, and motor ships, as well as jet skis, have been canceled,” reads a statement from the city authorities.

North Korea-Russia Relations
Direct flights to North Korea open after decades

For the first time since the mid-1990s, a direct flight will open between Moscow and North Korea's Pyongyang, Russian authorities say. According to Reuters, the flights are a way to strengthen ties between the countries, which have become increasingly close after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The first flight will leave Moscow tonight local time and is reportedly fully booked. The trip costs the equivalent of around $563 and the plane has capacity for 440 passengers.

Countries in the West and Ukraine have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery and ballistic missiles, something that both the Kremlin and Pyongyang deny, the news agency writes.