Russia launched a massive overnight assault on the Kyiv region early Saturday, firing drones and missiles that wounded three people and triggered air-raid alerts across large parts of the country. In Miami, US and Ukrainian officials are extending negotiations with both sides agreeing that “real progress” depends on Russia’s willingness to end the war. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.
Ukrainian women embrace combat roles as technology reshapes the battlefield
When Russia’s full-scale invasion began nearly four years ago, a 26-year-old soldier known as Monka didn’t see a combat role she could do. But that changed as technology reshaped the battlefield and opened new paths.
Last year, she joined the military as a pilot of short-range, first-person view, or FPV, drones after giving up a job managing a restaurant abroad and returning home to Ukraine to serve.
Her shift is part of a larger trend of more women joining Ukraine’s military in combat roles, a change made possible by the technological transformation of modern warfare, military officials say.
“The fact that technology lets us deliver ammunition without carrying it in our hands or running it to the front line — that’s incredible,” said Monka, who serves in the Unmanned Systems Battalion of the Third Army Corps. She and other women followed Ukraine’s military protocol by identifying themselves using only their call signs.
More than 70,000 women served in Ukraine’s military in 2025, a 20% increase compared with 2022, including over 5,500 deployed directly on the front line, according to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.
Some units have tailored recruitment efforts toward women, expanding rosters in a sign that Ukraine is looking to strengthen and expand its army even as peace negotiations weigh a possible cap on the future size of the military.
Ukrainians take shelter inside a metro station during an overnight Russian missile and drone strike
📷 Alina Smutko, Reuters
Russian strikes hit Kyiv region overnight as troops press on in Donetsk
Russia carried out a large-scale drone and missile attack on the Kyiv region early Saturday, wounding three people and prompting air-raid alerts across nearly all of Ukraine. Regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk said the strikes targeted the wider capital area at dawn, while only the far-western Zakarpattia region was spared. Moscow, meanwhile, reported intercepting 116 Ukrainian drones overnight.
On the front line, Russian troops continued their grinding advance against outnumbered Ukrainian forces. The Russian military claimed the capture of Bezimenne in the eastern Donetsk region, where heavy fighting remains concentrated. The incremental gains underscore mounting pressure on Ukrainian defenses as the war continues to intensify.
US, Ukraine to meet for third day, say ‘real progress’ depends on Russia
Ukrainian negotiators and US President Donald Trump’s envoys will hold a third day of talks in Miami on Saturday, they said in a statement, adding that progress on a peace deal depends on Russia.
“Both parties agreed that real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia’s readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps toward de-escalation and cessation of killings,” said the readout posted on X by envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday.
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