One of Russia’s most powerful men, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, is set to visit North Korea this weekend, in a sign of deepening relations between Moscow and Pyongyang as North Korea gets pulled deeper into Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Russia’s escalation of drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities led to a three-year high in the number of civilians killed or wounded in June, the United Nations said. The UN verified at least 232 people killed and 1,343 wounded during the month – the highest combined toll since April 2022.

Russian air defences downed 155 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow, causing temporary airport closures and casualties in Lipetsk.

EKA TKESHELASHVILI served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia during Mikheil Saakashvili’s presidency.

Plus: Political battle shaping up between Texas, Florida{beacon}WASHINGTON is barreling toward a confrontation with Moscow, as tension grows between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir

Authorities said the boy died following a strike on a village in Kherson amid Russia's increased bombardment of Ukrainian cities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he had discussed improved air defences and intensified sanctions against Russia with two U.S. lawmakers who are backing a bill to impose tougher punitive measures against Moscow.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia fired more than 700 attack and decoy drones at Ukraine overnight, topping previous nightly barrages for the third time in two weeks, part of Moscow’s intensifying aerial and ground assault in the three-year war, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.

Mr Putin’s war against Ukraine inadvertently led to an end to the hitherto intractable conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which is now struggling to break free of Russia’s grip and make peace with Turkey.