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France to Summon Russian Envoy Over Alleged Cyberattacks

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France has announced that it will summon the Russian ambassador to Paris in the coming days over an alleged cyberattack campaign targeting several European countries, including France. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the attacks were aimed at espionage and sabotage and accused Russia of orchestrating the operation.

Alongside the diplomatic move, France plans to impose sanctions on nine Russian individuals and four Russian entities allegedly linked to the cyber campaign. According to Barrot, the attacks were carried out under the direction of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).

The announcement comes as the European Union works to finalise its 21st package of sanctions against Russia in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine. France has previously accused Moscow of launching cyberattacks against the country and says it will continue taking measures to strengthen its cybersecurity and national security.

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Russia Uses Fibre-Optic Drones to Breach Ukraine’s Power Grid Defences

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Russia is increasingly using small fibre-optic FPV (First Person View) drones to strike high-voltage electricity substations in Ukraine’s Sumy region, bypassing electronic jamming systems and damaging critical energy infrastructure. Open-source investigators and Reuters verified multiple attacks in which the drones successfully penetrated heavily protected substations located up to 26 kilometres from the frontline.

According to investigators, Russian forces first use one drone to tear through anti-drone netting before sending a second drone through the opening to reach vulnerable equipment inside protective concrete structures. These drones, controlled through fibre-optic cables instead of radio signals, are resistant to electronic warfare and can destroy expensive autotransformers, causing entire transformer units to fail at a fraction of the replacement cost.

Analysts say the attacks appear to be part of a broader strategy to isolate Ukrainian regions from the national power grid and increase pressure on civilian infrastructure. Ukraine’s Sumy region has faced intensified attacks in recent months, with officials warning that Russia is attempting to make life in border areas increasingly difficult through sustained strikes on energy facilities.

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NATO Leaders Meet in Ankara Amid Trump Tensions

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NATO leaders will gather in Ankara next week for a high-stakes summit aimed at reinforcing alliance unity despite growing tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. European members are expected to highlight increased defence spending and stronger military capabilities as Washington scales back parts of its military commitment to Europe. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the summit will focus on turning higher defence budgets into combat-ready forces and expanding the alliance’s defence industry.

The meeting is also expected to reaffirm NATO’s support for Ukraine, with leaders pledging continued military assistance in its war against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will attend a dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Trump. European leaders hope the personal ties between Trump, Erdoğan and Rutte will help keep discussions constructive despite recent disagreements.

The summit comes after months of strain within the alliance, including disputes over the Iran conflict, Trump’s criticism of NATO spending, and U.S. troop reductions in Europe. European officials remain concerned that renewed tensions or developments in the Middle East could overshadow the gathering. Even so, NATO diplomats say leaders recognise the importance of presenting a united front and maintaining the alliance’s collective security commitments.

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Cossacks Help Manage Fuel Queues as Russia’s Fuel Crisis Deepens

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Cossacks and volunteers have joined local officials and police in the Russian Black Sea resort of Anapa to manage long queues at petrol stations as fuel shortages worsen. They are helping regulate traffic, prevent disputes, and enforce limits on fuel purchases amid growing pressure on supplies.

The fuel crisis has been triggered by repeated Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, forcing Moscow to introduce emergency measures. Drivers in several regions are now limited to buying 20 litres of gasoline per vehicle, while authorities say queue management has reduced waiting times from several hours to around 30–40 minutes.

Russia has also eased fuel quality standards and increased gasoline imports to address the shortage. The situation comes as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues, with both sides carrying out regular attacks and peace efforts remaining at a standstill.

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EU Pledges Fresh Support to Armenia Amid Rising Russian Economic Pressure

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The European Union has announced an additional €18 million in economic assistance for Armenia and eased export rules for Armenian goods as part of efforts to strengthen ties with the South Caucasus nation. The support comes as Armenia faces increasing trade restrictions from Russia, which have affected key exports including fresh produce, flowers, fish, and alcoholic beverages. The latest funding forms part of a broader €52 million assistance package unveiled earlier this year.

During a visit to Yerevan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assured Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that the EU would stand by Armenia despite external economic pressure. She said the bloc would remove tariffs on nearly 80% of Armenian exports, giving businesses easier access to the European Union’s market of around 450 million consumers. Von der Leyen emphasised that the EU would continue supporting partners facing economic challenges.

The announcement reflects Armenia’s growing efforts to strengthen relations with the European Union while maintaining its position in the Russian-led economic union. Russia remains Armenia’s largest trading partner, accounting for about 35% of its foreign trade, while the EU represents around 11%. The EU also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace and regional connectivity in the South Caucasus through investments in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure.

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Fuel Shortages Spread Across Russia as Ukrainian Strikes Disrupt Supplies

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Fuel shortages are spreading across Russia as Ukrainian drone attacks continue to disrupt refinery operations and fuel supply chains. What began as shortages in Russian-annexed Crimea has now extended to parts of southern Russia and even Moscow, with long queues, temporary fuel station closures and purchase restrictions reported in several regions. President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the disruptions, saying the government is working to address the situation.

In Crimea, authorities have suspended fuel sales to private motorists and reduced operating hours for public transport and businesses. In Sevastopol, limited fuel sales triggered long queues, while prices surged to nearly three times their normal levels. Similar shortages have emerged in Rostov-on-Don, where some petrol stations have run out of fuel, affecting residents and businesses that rely on regular supplies.

Although major fuel retailers in Moscow have largely kept prices stable, some privately owned stations have increased prices by more than 10%, and queues have appeared at several locations. The widening shortages highlight the growing impact of Ukraine’s strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure, as the conflict increasingly affects daily life far beyond the front lines.

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Thousands Continue Protests in Serbia Despite Vucic’s Resignation Announcement

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Thousands of people gathered in the Serbian city of Kraljevo on Sunday, continuing nationwide anti-government protests a day after President Aleksandar Vucic announced he would step down within weeks, paving the way for early presidential and parliamentary elections. While many protesters welcomed the announcement, they expressed concern that Vucic could retain influence by seeking the post of prime minister and backing a close ally for the presidency.

The protests began after the deadly collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad in late 2024, which claimed 16 lives and sparked widespread public anger over alleged government corruption and mismanagement. Demonstrators carrying Serbian flags and banners reading “Students are winning” marched peacefully, calling for political change and greater accountability. Vucic has denied allegations of corruption.

The developments are being closely watched by both the European Union and Russia, given Serbia’s strategic position and its balancing of relations with both sides. The EU has urged Serbia to uphold democratic standards, strengthen judicial independence, improve press freedom and ensure fair elections as part of its bid to join the bloc. Protesters say their movement is about securing lasting institutional reforms rather than simply replacing political leaders.

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Putin, Lukashenko Hold Talks Amid Rising Ukraine-Belarus Tensions

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held talks at Putin’s Valdai residence on Friday, with discussions expected to focus on the war in Ukraine alongside trade, economic cooperation, joint projects and regional security. The Kremlin said no documents would be signed and no joint press conference was planned following the meeting.

The meeting comes as tensions between Belarus and Ukraine have intensified. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has accused Putin of trying to persuade Lukashenko to deepen Belarus’ involvement in the war, a claim rejected by both Moscow and Minsk. Lukashenko said he recently met representatives of Zelenskiy and warned them against dragging Belarus into the conflict, while the Kremlin has accused Ukraine of threatening Belarus’ sovereignty over alleged signal relay stations.

Although Belarus has not deployed its troops to fight alongside Russia, it allowed Russian forces to use its territory to launch the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and later agreed to host Russian tactical nuclear weapons. Zelenskiy said this week that the disputed relay stations had stopped functioning, though there has been no independent verification of the claim.

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Russian Hardliners Urge Putin to Escalate War and End U.S.-Brokered Talks

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Russian nationalist hardliners are urging President Vladimir Putin to intensify the war in Ukraine and abandon U.S.-mediated peace efforts following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes deep inside Russian territory. The renewed calls come after attacks targeting Moscow, St. Petersburg, Crimea and other locations, prompting demands for stronger military action.

Some pro-war commentators have called for expanded strikes on Kyiv, the targeting of Ukrainian leadership and critical infrastructure, and even the abandonment of diplomatic negotiations. While some of the rhetoric includes extreme proposals, analysts say it reflects growing concern within nationalist circles over Ukraine’s ability to carry out long-range attacks and the effectiveness of Russia’s current strategy.

Despite the pressure, the Kremlin has so far resisted calls to end negotiations or adopt the most aggressive measures. Russian officials have expressed frustration over stalled U.S.-brokered peace efforts, but President Putin continues to signal confidence in Russia’s military campaign while leaving the door open for a potential diplomatic solution alongside ongoing battlefield operations.

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Russian-Installed Authorities Declare Economic Emergency in Crimea

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Russian-installed authorities in Crimea have declared a state of economic emergency following a series of Ukrainian attacks that have disrupted fuel supplies and affected daily life on the peninsula. The emergency measure is intended to speed up decision-making and ensure the continued functioning of essential services, although officials have not detailed what practical changes it will bring.

The announcement comes after local authorities suspended tourism, cancelled children’s summer camps and halted fuel sales in response to mounting supply shortages. Residents have reported long queues at petrol stations and rising fuel prices as repeated drone strikes have strained logistics and energy infrastructure.

Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian energy facilities and supply routes in an effort to weaken Moscow’s military capabilities and disrupt access to Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of targeting civilian infrastructure to create unrest among the population, while the conflict continues to affect economic activity across the region.

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