Thousands of protesters in the Slovak capital held banners and chanted slogans on Friday accusing Prime Minister Robert Fico of dragging the country towards Russia after he met President Vladimir Putin last month amid a gas dispute with Ukraine.

Russian forces have used reconnaissance drones to support their deep-strike operations in Ukraine. This has been a major headache for Kyiv.

The White House, now unconcerned about the effect on gas prices and inflation, blacklisted two of Russia’s biggest oil producers and nearly 200 tanker ships.

Donald Trump's openness to engage with Putin sparks hope for peace but raises Ukrainian concerns over potential compromises on national interests.

At the event, Ukraine presented various drones, including the Shrike and Vampire, that are used in combat against Russia. On October 19, 2023, Shrike drones attacked a Russian convoy. A total of 35 drones were deployed, destroying eight tanks and four infantry fighting vehicles valued at $19 million.

Russia's ability to continue fighting in the war with Ukraine may be in jeopardy as it suffers highest rate of military personnel losses in the Ukraine war.

Russia is "watching this rather dramatic development of the situation very closely," President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson said.

Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that his troops were ‘actively destroying Russian military potential’ in the Kursk region of Russia

The claim, which drew no response from Ukrainian authorities, came a day after the Russian Defense Ministry said Ukrainian forces had pressed new attacks in Russia’s Kursk border region.

Ukraine has largely been driven out of Kurakhove, a battered but strategic town in the Donbas, Russia said. Kyiv’s forces were pressing a renewed offensive in southern Russia.

The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, which explore for, produce and sell oil as well as 183 vessels that have shipped Russian oil, many of which are in the so-called shadow fleet of aging tankers operated by non-Western companies. The sanctions also include networks that trade the petroleum.