Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his call for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end their ongoing war.

A law curbing the independence of anti-graft agencies triggered the first street protests of the war and rare rebukes from European allies.

Russian forces launched 42 Shahed-type attack drones and other drones overnight, primarily from Russia and occupied Crimea, Ukraine's Air Force said. At least 26 drones were shot down, and seven more were lost or suppressed by electronic warfare systems,

The major aerial attack in the capital killed two people and wounded 15, including a 12-year-old, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Putin has spurned Zelensky’s previous offers of a face-to-face meeting to end Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II.

Moscow continues to intensify its long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities and analysts say the barrages are likely to escalate.

Mass attack hits cities overnight as Ukrainians brace for 50 more days of Russian terror * Putin unfazed by Trump's threats, plans to fight on in Ukraine, Reuters reports * Patriot missiles bound for Ukraine already being shipped,

Ukraine's Brave1 hopes all of its infantry will eventually carry its new anti-drone rifle rounds, designed to fire from NATO-issued rifles.