Rai

A new report from UNITED24 together with Ukraine's Rubizh Brigade documents seven days spent inside the kill zone of Donetsk's fortress belt, the line of fortified towns that has held back Russian advances for years. The footage offers a rare frontline look at the soldiers defending Pokrovsk, Kramatorsk and neighbouring strongholds as fighting intensifies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the UN General Assembly, branding Vladimir Putin the 'patient zero' of the war and pressing world leaders on Russia's invasion. In his speech he also referenced Donald Trump and urged continued international support for Ukraine, warning against any concessions to Moscow as the war grinds on.

Russia has started rationing fuel following a large-scale Ukrainian drone strike, with reports saying Ukrainian drone technology is outpacing Russia's jet-powered drones. The strikes are said to have disrupted fuel supplies, prompting restrictions as the war of drones between the two countries escalates.

Ukraine's military says its forces have advanced in a key sector of the eastern front, according to a senior commander. The claim, reported by Reuters, comes as fighting continues to focus on eastern Ukraine, where territorial gains in either direction are closely watched as indicators of momentum in the war with Russia.

Ukraine's Third Army Corps says it sent grenade-launcher-equipped ground robots to attack Russian shelters while Ukrainian infantry stayed out of direct contact, with operators controlling the machines from positions tens of kilometers away. The unit claims no one has used similar tactics in the war so far. Commentators highlight it as a notable step in Ukraine's growing use of unmanned ground systems on the battlefield.

The BBC's Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg reports that Russia is facing growing economic problems, yet the war in Ukraine continues with no sign of a slowdown. The analysis highlights the strain of sanctions, inflation and wartime spending on ordinary Russians, while the Kremlin presses on with its military campaign. Observers are asking how long the economy can sustain the conflict.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised its cash rate to its highest level in 15 years, extending its campaign against persistent inflation. Borrowers face higher mortgage repayments as lending costs climb to a level not seen in over a decade. The decision keeps Australia in line with other major economies still tightening monetary policy, and economists are watching whether further increases will follow in coming months.

The Pope declared that wars are senseless and called on Russia and Ukraine to come to the negotiating table to end their conflict. The appeal, delivered through Vatican channels, renews his repeated calls for peace and diplomacy. The statement is drawing attention as the war continues with no ceasefire in sight.

A war update claims Russia is losing its entire eastern front in Ukraine, describing the situation as a major setback and President Putin as reacting hysterically. No details from the front line, casualty figures, or named locations are provided to verify the claim, so the scale of any Russian losses remains unclear. Discussion of Ukraine's eastern front continues as the war draws ongoing attention.

The Ukrainian Air Force says its MiG-29 jets struck a Russian command post in the northern sector of the front. According to the unit, Russian forces had been concentrating personnel in the building for some time and were moving equipment and ammunition into the site, making it a significant target. The strike is being widely shared and discussed online, with supporters framing it as evidence of Ukraine's continued ability to hit high-value Russian military targets.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced another interest rate increase, with policymakers citing growing concerns that inflation is proving more persistent than expected. The move means higher borrowing costs for Australian households and businesses, and it follows a series of tightening steps aimed at bringing price growth back toward the bank's target.

Dave Ramsden, a deputy governor at the Bank of England, said there would be a case for raising the key interest rate if inflationary pressures build further. His comments signal that the Bank's rate-setting committee remains ready to tighten monetary policy, and traders and economists are watching closely for clues about the timing of any move.

Foreign Policy examines why the war in Ukraine remains deadlocked despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. The analysis argues that neither Kyiv, Moscow, nor Western backers currently have both the incentive and the leverage to force a settlement, leaving the fighting to grind on with no credible endgame in sight.

Ukraine's Third Army Corps says entire Russian units have been surrendering to Ukrainian forces, with more than 250 Russian soldiers taken prisoner in recent stages of the operation codenamed "Vivaldi" alone. Ukrainian officials present the mass surrenders as evidence of collapsing morale and weakening loyalty among Russian troops to their command. The figures come from Ukrainian sources and have not been independently verified.

Ukraine's defense ministry says its forces struck six strategic oil refineries deep inside Russia in a single week, with targets up to 1,600 km behind the front line. Kyiv describes the campaign as a response to Russian attacks, saying every hit facility supplies fuel to Russia's defense industry and occupation forces. The claim has drawn wide attention as evidence of Ukraine's growing long-range strike capability against Russia's energy sector.

Russia plans to increase its 2027 military spending by 27%, according to budget documents reviewed by Reuters. The figures point to a continued shift of Russian state finances toward defense despite talk of possible peace negotiations over Ukraine, and the report is drawing attention among analysts tracking Moscow's war economy and long-term military commitments.

Australia's central bank has raised interest rates to their highest level in 15 years and warned that further increases remain possible as it battles persistent inflation. Policymakers said more hikes are 'not off the table', keeping borrowers and markets on alert over the path of monetary policy.

Reports say the Israeli military is training to destroy Hamas tunnel networks in an area of Israel referred to as 'Little Gaza'. The claim comes from a single broadcast report and has not been independently confirmed. The subject feeds into ongoing attention on Israel's operations against Hamas infrastructure since the October 7 attacks and the wider Gaza conflict.

Experts say a plan backed by Donald Trump to license Patriot missile production for Ukraine, rather than supply the systems directly, could take years to implement. Setting up licensed manufacturing would require technology transfers, industrial agreements and training, raising questions about whether such an arrangement could help Ukraine's air defenses in the near term.

Australia's central bank has lifted its key interest rate to the highest level in 15 years as it tries to bring inflation under control. The move makes borrowing more expensive for households and businesses, and signals policymakers remain willing to tighten further despite concerns about slowing economic growth and mounting pressure on mortgage holders.

An American man and a Ukrainian national who had been arrested in India have been permitted to leave the country. The headline, which calls the American 'American Dhurandhar', was shared widely and drew nearly a million engagements, with many reacting to the release of two foreign nationals from detention.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised interest rates, according to reports circulating widely on social media. The decision means higher borrowing costs for Australian households and businesses, with mortgage holders among those most affected. Commenters are debating what the increase signals about inflation and the bank's outlook for the economy.

Australia's central bank has raised its benchmark interest rate to its highest level in around 15 years, according to the Financial Times. The move means more expensive borrowing for Australian households and businesses, and is aimed at curbing inflation. Reactions so far focus on the pressure this adds to mortgages and the broader cost-of-living squeeze.

A ship incident has been reported in the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint for global oil shipments between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Details remain limited, but the story is drawing attention because any disruption in the strait has immediate implications for energy prices and shipping security. Observers are watching for confirmation of what occurred and whether regional tensions are involved.