The Biden administration announced major sanctions against the Russian energy sector on Friday, escalating tensions with Russia in its final

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration imposed its broadest package of sanctions so far targeting Russia's oil and gas revenues on Friday, in an effort to give Kyiv and Donald Trump's incoming team leverage to reach a deal for peace in Ukraine.

Ukraine's long-range drone strikes on airbases and ammunition depots inside Russia have reduced the glide-bomb threat.

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

Even as Russia seems to have the upper hand in its invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin faces a growing number of challenges that will complicate any effort to lock in its gains, the outgoing Pentagon chief said.

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.

Ukraine has launched a new offensive in Russia’s region of Kursk. But it’s not clear why exactly Ukraine is waging a new assault in Kursk, and why now.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that some 38,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded fighting in Russia's western Kursk region since August.

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 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.