As Russia Closes in on Bakhmut, Ukraine Bars Aid Workers From the City
With Moscow’s forces closing in, the besieged city is too dangerous for the volunteers, Ukrainian commanders said, in what could be a prelude to a Ukrainian withdrawal.
Defense and Military Forces
‘Our Losses Were Gigantic’: Life in a Sacrificial Russian Assault Wave
Poorly trained Russian soldiers captured by Ukraine describe being used as cannon fodder by commanders throwing waves of bodies into an assault.
Russia Attacks Ukraine With Major Missile Barrage as Combat Intensifies
The first major aerial bombardment in weeks targeted cities across Ukraine, as President Volodymyr Zelensky returned home from a trip across Europe to press for more arms.
China, Still Trying to Play Down Balloon, Finds It’s Getting Harder to Do
Beijing has accused the United States of waging “information and public opinion warfare.” But analysts say a lack of credible messaging from China is not helping.
Your Friday Briefing: 20,000 Dead in Turkey and Syria
Also, new U.S. information about China’s spy balloon and North Korea’s newest missile.
Elon Musk Won’t Let His Starlink Satellites Run Ukraine’s Drones
The comments angered some leaders in Kyiv.
What China’s Military Balloons Show About Its Spying Ambitions
Chinese military scientists have been looking for ways to make them more durable, harder to detect and even to serve as platforms that fire advanced weapons.
Chinese Balloon Had Tools to Collect Electronic Communications, U.S. Says
China’s surveillance balloons have flown over more than 40 countries and are directed by the Chinese military, the State Department said. The F.B.I. is studying debris.
North Korea Urges ‘Preparedness for War’ and Displays New Missile
Analysts said the new weapon was probably a solid-fuel ICBM, which the North’s leader, Kim Jong-un, has wanted to add to his country’s growing nuclear arsenal.
Visiting U.K. and France, Zelensky Pleads for Jets and Weapons for Ukraine
In a surprise visit that started a two-day blitz of Western allies, the Ukrainian president implored Britain to provide planes he said would represent “wings of freedom.’’