The New York Times reports the US plans to significantly reduce aircraft and warships provided to NATO's European operations, potentially limiting the alliance's long-range strike and reconnaissance capabilities. The move includes cutting fighter jets, maritime patrol aircraft, and refueling tankers.
Ukraine has escalated its campaign by launching long-range strikes on Russian strategic infrastructure, including oil facilities and bomber bases, aiming to impose costs beyond the battlefield. Recent attacks on St. Petersburg, Ryazan, and Pskov have disrupted oil refining and military logistics, forcing Russia to review base security.
Ukraine's President Zelenskyy stated that developing long-range strike capabilities, including a recent drone attack on St. Petersburg, provides Kyiv with leverage to negotiate with Russia on equal footing to end the war.
Ukrainian drones struck energy and military targets in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday, damaging infrastructure sites including an oil terminal and a military base. The attacks occurred as Russia hosts a major economic forum, with Ukrainian officials stating the aim was to disrupt the event.
Ukrainian drones targeted energy and military infrastructure in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday, causing damage but no reported deaths. The strikes occurred as Russia hosts a major economic forum, which Ukrainian officials stated was the aim of the attack.
Japan's acquisition of up to 400 Tomahawk missiles may face a two-year delay due to US stockpile rebuilding efforts after operations against Iran. This setback could prompt Tokyo to seek a larger role in producing US-designed weapons.
Ukrainian forces conducted a long-range drone strike on the Syzran oil refinery in western Russia, resulting in a large fire and two fatalities, according to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Russian officials. This follows a pattern of Ukrainian strikes targeting Russian oil infrastructure.
A Russian State Duma deputy believes Ukrainian President Zelensky's statements on increasing long-range strikes into Russia are aimed at European sponsors, suggesting it increases corruption and profit for the Kyiv regime. He asserted Russian air defenses will continue to intercept Ukrainian drones.
By mid-2026, Russia's Ukraine invasion has transformed into a grinding conflict. Ukraine's successful drone warfare and long-range strikes on Russian infrastructure are reshaping the battlefield. Russia, adapting with infiltration tactics and glide bombs, faces a new, industrialized war of attrition. European aid bolsters Ukraine's defense, while diplomatic progress remains stalled.
The US administration intends to drop plans to deploy long-range weapons, including Tomahawk missiles, to Germany, according to a Pentagon official cited by The Financial Times. The decision comes after President Trump announced a partial withdrawal of US troops from Germany, which followed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's criticism of Washington's military campaign against Iran. Christian Moelling, director of the Berlin-based think-tank Edina, warned that while rotating out American troops was manageable, the cancellation of long-range strike capability creates a significant capability gap and questions US readiness to protect NATO allies. Washington and Berlin had announced the deployment plans in July 2025 under the Biden administration, with implementation expected by 2027.
