Russia and Ukraine Exchange Series of Major Strikes
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Moscow faced a Ukrainian drone attack for the fifth night in a row, the city's mayor has said, as Russia launched yet another bombardment on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Video shared on social media showed chaos at Moscow's airports after the Ukrainian drone threat disrupted flight paths.
Meanwhile, at least one person was killed and several were injured in Ukraine's capital Kyiv following Moscow's latest bombardment.
Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian and Russian defense ministries for comment.
Why It Matters
Russia is showing no sign of letting up in its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, despite President Volodymyr Zelensky's invitation to hold peace talks with Moscow in Turkey later this week.
Kyiv's use of drones on Russia follows a warning in May by Serhii Bratchuk, from the Ukrainian Defense Army's Southern Division, about Ukraine's plans to disrupt aviation to make the Russian population pay for Vladimir Putin's aggression.
People walk past wreckage near a metro station following a Russian attack in Kyiv on July 21, 2025.
People walk past wreckage near a metro station following a Russian attack in Kyiv on July 21, 2025.What To Know
Russia repeated its mass drone and missile attacks on Kyiv overnight Sunday in strikes which local authorities said killed at least one person and injured six.
Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched 450 drones and missiles targeting Kyiv, the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk and Kharkiv.
Explosions rocked Kyiv in the early hours of Sunday, with outdoor kiosks burning and smoke pouring from the entrance of the damaged Lukianivska subway station.
In Ivano-Frankivsk, air defenses were deployed during what the city's mayor Ruslan Martsinkiv described as the largest attack on the western region since the start of the war.
Meanwhile, more than 230 Ukrainian drones had been shot down downed over Russia since Saturday morning, including 27 over the capital, according to Russia's defence ministry.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said the Russian capital faced a fifth night of Ukrainian drone attacks, but that the devices had been shot down by air defenses. Footage on social media showed debris hitting residential areas where several explosions were recorded.
Damage to a railway station in Kamenolomni, in the Rostov region further south caused by falling drone debris was also reported, causing hours-long train delays.
Russia was forced to temporarily close all four major airports in Moscow after Ukraine fired more than 230 drones over the weekend, officials said.
At least 140 flights were cancelled across Moscow following Ukraine's counterattack, which began Saturday morning, with 27 drones… pic.twitter.com/BjxVS74Q3K — CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) July 21, 2025
‼️🇺🇦✈️ Since this morning, Ukrainian drones have been attacking Moscow — reports indicate strikes and explosions have been heard in several locations. pic.twitter.com/ILI572C9BI — Visioner (@visionergeo) July 21, 2025
The threats posed by drones prompted restrictions to be imposed on flights from Moscow's Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports, according to Russia's state aviation agency Rosaviatsia.
Two other major airports in Moscow were also temporarily closed and at least 140 flights were cancelled as images on social media showed disgruntled passengers trapped at the crowded airports for up to 12 hours.
Open source intelligence X channel Visoner said Ukrainian forces had been launching waves of drones at various regions of Russia, including Moscow, with the aim of overloading Russian air defense systems.
What People Are Saying
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky said: "Russian strikes are always an assault on humanity."
Moscow's Mayor Sergei Sobyanin: "Two drones attacking Moscow were shot down. Emergency service specialists are working at the crash site."
What Happens Next
After months of facing increased attacks by Russia on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Ukraine's military appears to have intensified efforts in targeting Russia's capital.
Meanwhile, despite Zelensky's offer for talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "the main thing for us is to achieve our goals". These include Ukraine withdrawing from Russia-annexed regions and abandoning its aspirations to join Nato – terms that Kyiv and its Western allies have rejected.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
26 minutes ago
- Newsweek
DOGE AI Tool to Target 100K Federal Rules for Elimination: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is reportedly using a newly developed artificial intelligence (AI) tool to accelerate the rollback of federal regulations, with a stated goal of eliminating 50 percent of all federal rules by the first anniversary of President Donald Trump's second inauguration, according to a Saturday report from The Washington Post. Internal documents reviewed by the newspaper, along with interviews with four government officials familiar with the project, reveal an ambitious timeline and a wide-ranging use of the tool across various agencies. Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment via email on Saturday. Why It Matters DOGE was created by Trump through an executive order to improve efficiency and reduce waste in the federal government. It was led by billionaire Elon Musk who departed the administration in May. The reported plan represents one of the most aggressive attempts by the Trump administration to overhaul the federal regulatory system. By automating the deregulation process, the administration aims to reduce government spending and compliance burdens significantly. However, the use of AI to interpret complex legal language and determine regulatory necessity raises legal and practical concerns, particularly regarding accuracy, oversight, and the future role of civil servants in shaping public policy, according to the Post. What to Know The "DOGE AI Deregulation Decision Tool," developed by engineers brought into government under Elon Musk's DOGE initiative, is programmed to scan about 200,000 existing federal rules and flag those that are either outdated or not legally required. According to a PowerPoint presentation dated July 1 that was obtained by the newspaper, the tool estimates that approximately 100,000 of those rules could be eliminated, primarily through automation with minimal human input. The projection claims this could save trillions in compliance costs and spark increased external investment. At the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), AI has already reviewed over 1,000 regulatory sections in under two weeks. Similarly, it was responsible for "100% of deregulations" at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), according to the PowerPoint presentation. The Post, however, reported it was not able to confirm the use of AI at the agency independently. When asked about the use of AI for deregulation, White House spokesman Harrison Fields emphasized to the newspaper that "all options are being explored" to meet the president's deregulation goals. He clarified that no single plan has been finalized, and the effort is still in early, creative stages with ongoing consultation within the White House. DOGE plans to complete agency-specific deregulation lists by September 1 and finish nationwide rollout by January 20, 2026—labeled in internal documents as "Relaunch America." Agencies are currently receiving training on how to integrate the AI tool into their regulatory review process. The presentation claims the tool could save 93 percent of the labor typically required to gut federal rules, reducing what would usually take 3.6 million work hours to just 36. Despite these goals, some federal employees expressed concern about accuracy. One HUD employee told the Post that the AI misinterpreted statutes and flagged legal language as non-compliant when it was accurate. HUD confirmed to the newspaper that while the agency is exploring AI to streamline efficiency, the system is not intended to replace expert judgment. The push to eliminate regulations is not new for Trump. In January, he issued an executive order mandating the repeal of 10 rules for every new one added. Departments like Transportation and Labor have already reported dozens of regulatory cuts. However, experts question whether such repeals will withstand scrutiny under the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs the legal process for rescinding rules. Previous attempts to bypass procedural safeguards—such as Trump's reversal of showerhead regulations—have faced legal scrutiny. DOGE's lawyers have reportedly vetted the tool, but concerns remain about whether its recommendations will be upheld in court or trusted by the private sector. While DOGE initially tried to play a leading role in the deregulation campaign, internal resistance from federal employees has slowed momentum. Agencies questioned DOGE's subject matter expertise and hesitated to outsource rulemaking authority to a third-party system. Moreover, the administration's efforts to downsize the federal workforce have hampered its ability to implement the deregulation strategy. An American flag waves at the U.S. Capitol Building on June 10 in Washington, D.C. An American flag waves at the U.S. Capitol Building on June 10 in Washington, People Are Saying Nicholas Bagley, a law professor at the University of Michigan, told The Washington Post about Trump's unilateral efforts to cut regulations: "There's been some flashy sideshow efforts to avoid the legal strictures, but in general, they don't stick." White House spokesman Harrison Fields wrote in an email obtained by The Washington Post: "The DOGE experts creating these plans are the best and brightest in the business and are embarking on a never-before-attempted transformation of government systems and operations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness." What Happens Next? Over the next several months, agencies will use the DOGE AI tool to select rules for repeal, respond to public comments, and finalize deregulation plans. Whether the courts, the public, and the agencies themselves accept that transformation remains uncertain.
Newsweek
26 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Nationwide 'Rage Against the Regime' Protest Planned for August 2
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Thousands of people are mobilizing for a National Day of Action against President Donald Trump and his administration, with hundreds of planned "Rage Against the Regime" protests scheduled for the first weekend in August. Newsweek has reached out to the protest organizers, 50501, for comment via email on Saturday. Why It Matters Since Trump returned to office in January, there have been thousands of protests nationwide—including "Hands Off" demonstrations, "No Kings" protests and various "Tesla Takedown" events targeting his then-close adviser Elon Musk. Many of the protests have been organized by the group "50 Protests, 50 States, One Movement," also known as 50501. The protests often take aim at Trump's sweeping immigration policies, leadership style, and perceived attacks on democratic institutions and civil liberties. The Trump administration and its supporters say their policies represent necessary reforms aimed at strengthening national security, enforcing immigration laws and advance core aspects of a Republican agenda. What To Know As of Saturday, 260 anti-Trump protests are planned across the country for August 2. Many are using fliers from templates provided by organizers that include explicit words against Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a Friday Reddit post, 50501 wrote: "We're fed up with the corruption, the cruelty, the erosion of rights," and is seeking people to come together in a peaceful manner to exercise their First Amendment rights. At least one protest in most states is scheduled. On June 14, thousands of people mobilized for the nationwide "No Kings" protests, which were held in every state and coincided with the president's birthday. In Salt Lake City, one protester, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, was shot and later died at the hospital. This summer in Los Angeles, protesters clashed with police and National Guard members during anti‑immigration demonstrations, with some demonstrators throwing objects at officers and authorities responding with tear gas and rubber bullets. People take part in a Stop Trump Scotland protest outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh, as US President Donald Trump begins his five-day private trip to the country at his Turnberry golf course in South... People take part in a Stop Trump Scotland protest outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh, as US President Donald Trump begins his five-day private trip to the country at his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire on July 26. More Press Association via AP Images Who Is Organizing the 'Rage Against the Regime' Protest? 50501 is organizing the August 2 protests and are calling upon people to "come together to transform anger into action, harnessing the energy of collective resistance." The group maintains that "our movement is rooted in non-violence, but it is far from passive. We stand strong, bold, and unyielding." The group is holding a virtual call for organizers on July 26 at 1 p.m. ET in preparation for the coming protests. What People Are Saying The Center for American Progress, a think tank, wrote in an X, formerly Twitter, post on Saturday: "If just 3.5% of Americans—12 million people—mobilize to peacefully protest the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration, it would be virtually impossible for the government to ignore their demands." Representative Ted Lieu, California Democrat, wrote Friday on X: "Continue to exercise your rights to free speech, to protest, to get involved. It all matters." What Happens Next? Europeans are also protesting Trump, with hundreds turning out at demonstrations on Saturday across Scotland where the president is on a five-day visit.
Newsweek
26 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Trump Says Thailand, Cambodia Support Ceasefire Push
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia both want to end the ongoing conflict between their countries, President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social Saturday. Trump says he spoke to both the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand and the Prime Minister of Cambodia about an "immediate ceasefire." The call for ceasefire comes as Cambodia and Thailand continue to fight over a border dispute, which has left at least 32 dead and prompted the evacuation of tens of thousands. "I have just spoken to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and it was a very good conversation. Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE," Trump said in his Truth Social post. "I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime Minister of Cambodia. After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!" The post came just minutes after Trump said he was in contact with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet regarding the war, also noting that he was trying to work out a trade with both countries amid the fighting. "We happen to be, by coincidence, currently dealing on Trade with both Countries, but do not want to make any Deal, with either Country, if they are fighting — And I have told them so!" Trump said. This is a breaking news story. Updates to come.
