Zelensky: Ukraine Increasing Drone Production Significantly

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (dpa)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (dpa)
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Zelensky: Ukraine Increasing Drone Production Significantly

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (dpa)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (dpa)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that his country is working to significantly increase the production of drones, which are in great demand by the Ukrainian military.

During his evening video address, he stressed the importance of Ukrainian production of drones in defending his country from Russian invasion.

The president said it is necessary to systematize what is already being supplied to the troops and used because “drones are the eyes and protection on the contact line.”

He added, “Drones are a guarantee that people will not have to pay with their lives when drones can be used.”

Zelensky also called on partners to supply the necessary drones and systems. “In each combat brigade, warriors first ask about drones, electronic warfare and military air defense,” he said.

“The answer to such questions is our work with partners to supply the necessary drones and systems, as well as our work here in Ukraine. We need production. We are increasing production significantly,” the Ukrainian President added.

Kiev has carried out several drone attacks as part of its counter-offensive to retake its territory.



Pope Prays for Dialogue, Peace in Iran and Syria

Pope Francis waves as he arrives to lead the weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, October 21, 2015. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi/File Photo
Pope Francis waves as he arrives to lead the weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, October 21, 2015. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi/File Photo
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Pope Prays for Dialogue, Peace in Iran and Syria

Pope Francis waves as he arrives to lead the weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, October 21, 2015. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi/File Photo
Pope Francis waves as he arrives to lead the weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, October 21, 2015. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi/File Photo

Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for those killed in protests in Iran and in the conflict in Syria during his weekly Angelus prayer on Sunday, calling for dialogue and peace, AFP reported.

"My thoughts turn to what is happening these days in the Middle East, particularly in Iran and Syria, where persistent tensions are causing the deaths of many people."

"I hope and pray for the patient cultivation of dialogue and peace, for the common good of society as a whole," he added.


Iran Warns US Troops, Israel Will Be Targets if America Strikes

FILE PHOTO: Protesters gather as vehicles burn, amid evolving anti-government unrest, in Tehran, Iran, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video released on January 9, 2026. Social Media/via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Protesters gather as vehicles burn, amid evolving anti-government unrest, in Tehran, Iran, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video released on January 9, 2026. Social Media/via REUTERS/File Photo
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Iran Warns US Troops, Israel Will Be Targets if America Strikes

FILE PHOTO: Protesters gather as vehicles burn, amid evolving anti-government unrest, in Tehran, Iran, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video released on January 9, 2026. Social Media/via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Protesters gather as vehicles burn, amid evolving anti-government unrest, in Tehran, Iran, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video released on January 9, 2026. Social Media/via REUTERS/File Photo

Nationwide protests challenging Iran’s regime saw protesters flood the streets in the country’s capital and its second-largest city into Sunday, crossing the two-week mark as violence surrounding the demonstrations has killed at least 116 people, activists said.

With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. But the death toll in the protests has grown, while 2,600 others have been detained, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.

Meanwhile, Iran's parliament speaker warned the US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America strikes Iran, as threatened by President Donald Trump.

Trump offered support for the protesters, saying on social media that “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”

The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous US officials, said on Saturday night that Trump had been given military options for a strike on Iran, but hadn’t made a final decision.

The State Department separately warned: “Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.”

Iranian state television broadcast the parliament session live. Qalibaf gave a speech applauding police and Iran's Revolutionary Guard, particularly its all-volunteer Basij, for having “stood firm” during the protests.

“The people of Iran should know that we will deal with them in the most severe way and punish those who are arrested,” Qalibaf said.

He went on to directly threaten Israel, “the occupied territory” as he referred to it, and the US military, possibly with a preemptive strike.

“In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets,” Qalibaf said. “We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat.”


Sources: Israel on High Alert for Possibility of US Intervention in Iran

In this frame grab from video taken by an individual not employed by The Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows people during a protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)
In this frame grab from video taken by an individual not employed by The Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows people during a protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)
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Sources: Israel on High Alert for Possibility of US Intervention in Iran

In this frame grab from video taken by an individual not employed by The Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows people during a protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)
In this frame grab from video taken by an individual not employed by The Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows people during a protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)

Israel is on high alert for the possibility of any US intervention in Iran as authorities there confront the biggest anti-government protests in years, according to three Israeli sources with knowledge of the matter.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene ⁠in recent days and warned Iran’s rulers against using force against demonstrators. On Saturday, Trump said the US stands “ready to help”.

The sources, who were present ⁠for Israeli security consultations over the weekend, did not elaborate on what Israel’s high-alert footing meant in practice, Reuters reported. Israel and Iran fought a 12-day war in June.

In a phone call on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary ⁠of State Marco Rubio discussed the possibility of US intervention in Iran, according to an Israeli source who was present for the conversation. A US official confirmed the two men spoke but did not say what topics they discussed.