Russia intensifies Ukraine war despite international pressure

Russian President Vladimir Putin told President Donald Trump that Russia will continue to pursue its goals in Ukraine and "will not back down" despite a direct call between the two leaders. Putin has repeatedly claimed that Ukraine posed a threat as it looked to become a NATO member, and has made clear he wants to overthrow President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and topple the government in Kyiv. The call came two days after the US paused some previously pledged military arms to Ukraine, a move that experts warned could embolden Putin's war ambitions. The two leaders also discussed the conflict in the Middle East, particularly as it relates to Iran and recent US and Israeli strikes against Tehran's nuclear program.

Three European intelligence services, including two from the Netherlands and one from Germany, have found that Russia is increasingly using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, including the World War I-era poison gas chloropicrin, and that such use has become "standardized and commonplace." The Russian military allegedly uses these chemical agents to force Ukrainian soldiers out of their shelters, making them vulnerable to attack. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans has called for more sanctions against Russia and continued military support for Ukraine, warning that normalizing the use of chemical weapons would be dangerous for Europe and the world. Russia has denied using chemical weapons, despite Ukraine reporting 9,000 such attacks since 2022, and the US State Department also documenting their use.

Estonia is preparing for a potential invasion by Russia as its Russian minority becomes increasingly restless, with concerns growing that Vladimir Putin may target the country next.

A top Russian Navy commander, Major Gen. Mikhail Gudkov, was killed during combat operations in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine, Russia's military announced. Gudkov, 42, was deputy commander of Russia's Navy and had been appointed to his position by President Vladimir Putin in March. Unofficial Russian and Ukrainian military Telegram channels reported that he was killed in a Ukrainian missile attack, although the exact circumstances of his death are unclear. Gudkov had previously been accused of war crimes, including executing and beheading prisoners of war, by Ukrainian officials.