Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1216: NATO commits massive defense funding for Ukraine

Exclusives

Russia's latest porcupine tanks are actually working. Outfitted with spiked rebar to block Ukrainian drones, these tanks just might survive a strike.

On Trump's request, Belarus releases 14 political prisoners charged for opposing government and its support for Russia's war. The most prominent figure released was Sergei Tikhanovsky, a blogger and opposition activist who had been imprisoned for five years after attempting to run for president against Lukashenka in 2020.

Military

Putin ordered to blow up Ukraine's Security Service building—girl delivered suitcase full of explosives to its doorstep. She almost made it. Russian missile hits Ukrainian military training ground, kills 3 and injures 14. The Russian strike hit a temporary camp in Kherson Oblast where exercises were underway. The Ground Forces say safety protocols helped prevent higher death tolls. Fire engulfs Russian fuel depot again after new drone strike, satellite data shows. Satellite thermal data from NASA's FIRMS platform revealed a major heat anomaly at the Atlas facility in Russia's Rostov Oblast.

Intelligence and Technology

Norwegian sea drone tech to be built in Ukraine to fight Russian navy. Kongsberg and a Ukrainian partner will jointly develop maritime drones with weapon systems, funded by $665 million. Frontline report: German aid helps Ukraine develop hypersonic missile able to destroy bunkers deep inside Russia. Germany's €5 billion aid package directly funded the Ukrainian Hrim-2's domestic development, which has a payload double that of the US-supplied ATACMS, enabling Ukraine to destroy fortified Russian bunkers up to 300 km behind the front.

International

With Trump remaining silent and Putin advancing, NATO is pouring €35 billion into Ukraine's defenses. Also, Mark Rutte, the NATO's chief, declares Ukraine's path to the Alliance "irreversible." EU plans to hit Russia's economy hardest yet over "imperialist colonial campaign". French minister calls Russia's war against an "imperialist colonial campaign" draining its own economy. Hungary and Slovakia block new EU sanctions against Russia, Szijjártó says. Budapest's justification for vetoing the sanctions is its desire to keep buying Russian oil. The FM also pledged to block all EU aid for Ukraine. Russia bargaining hard to kill sanctions, Zelenskyy says. Moscow is using global connections to negotiate softer restrictions, Ukraine's President warns. New Zealand pledges $9.5 million in Ukraine aid ahead of NATO Summit. Wellington announces a fresh support package just as PM Luxon prepares to meet global leaders in The Hague. Russia is buying African loyalty with trains and schools, Ukrainian intelligence says. Moscow's agenda in Burkina Faso, Ghana, South Africa, and Egypt blends technical aid with long-term loyalty schemes.

Humanitarian and Social Impact

Putin mourned Nazi victims—then ordered missile strike on Kyiv, which kill 11-year-old girl and her mother. Kyiv says 175 drones and 16 missiles tore through Ukraine's capital and buried a child in the rubble. Meanwhile, Russia says its objectives in the attack have been reached. Russia kills at least 10 civilians in Kyiv and nearby towns in pre-dawn air assault (updated). Most drones and missiles were intercepted overnight by Ukrainian defenses. Read our earlier daily review here.