Russian Strikes Kill 12 Across Ukraine

Rescuers work at the site of the apartment building hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine March 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Rescuers work at the site of the apartment building hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine March 7, 2026. (Reuters)
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Russian Strikes Kill 12 Across Ukraine

Rescuers work at the site of the apartment building hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine March 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Rescuers work at the site of the apartment building hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine March 7, 2026. (Reuters)

Russia fired a volley of missiles and drones across Ukraine overnight on Friday to Saturday, killing 12 people and wounding more than a dozen, including children. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had launched 29 missiles and 480 drones, several of which targeted energy and railway infrastructure. 

Authorities in Kharkiv, the second-largest city, said a ballistic missile strike destroyed a five-storey apartment block, killing 10 people. 

AFP reporters saw rescuers sifting through the debris, where several people were believed to be trapped. 

"Since last night, the rubble of a residential building in Kharkiv is being cleared following a Russian ballistic missile strike," Zelensky said on social media. 

The victims included two women and their two children, mayor Igor Terekhov said. 

"Russia has not abandoned its attempts to destroy Ukraine's residential and critical infrastructure," Zelensky added, urging the country's allies to continue providing military support. 

The Ukrainian leader said he informed French President Emmanuel Macron about the consequences of the attacks during a phone conversation. 

During the call, Zelensky said it was important that a 90 billion euro ($105-billion) EU aid package as well as the next round of sanctions against Russia, currently blocked by Hungary, "are implemented". 

Russia said it had carried out a "massive high-precision strike" against military targets in Ukraine. It routinely denies targeting civilian infrastructure. 

The Russian army said earlier it had intercepted over 120 Ukrainian drones overnight. 

The Moscow-installed authorities of Ukraine's occupied Kherson region said one person was killed and four were wounded in a Ukrainian drone strike. 

- Air defense supplies - 

An air raid alert was triggered during the night across the entire country. 

The Polish air force said on X it had scrambled military aircraft to protect its airspace in regions bordering Ukraine, as it usually does in the event of large-scale Russian strikes. 

One person died in Ukraine's eastern region of Dnipropetrovsk and three were wounded in the capital Kyiv, authorities said. 

In the Sumy region bordering Russia, a 24-year-old man died in his car when it was hit by a Russian drone, according to local officials. 

The drone barrages from either side follow on the heels of an exchange between Moscow and Kyiv of 500 prisoners of war each, in line with accords reached during the latest round of peace talks in Geneva. 

Negotiations appeared to have stalled amid a lack of progress and since the eruption of war in the Middle East. 

Zelensky earlier warned that a prolonged Middle East conflict could hinder deliveries of US-made air defense missiles. 

Ukraine is facing a shortage of expensive US PAC-3 air defense ammunition. 

Zelensky has offered to the United States an exchange of Ukraine's drone interceptors for the missiles. 

He has also suggested sending drone specialists to help shield Washington's Gulf allies from Iranian drones. 

A delay in US missile supplies during winter made Ukraine's civil infrastructure more vulnerable to widespread Russian airstrikes that left hundreds of thousands without heating in freezing temperatures. 



Kremlin: Putin Discussed Iran, Ukraine War in Call with Trump

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict.  (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)
In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)
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Kremlin: Putin Discussed Iran, Ukraine War in Call with Trump

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict.  (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)
In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin called US counterpart Donald Trump on Sunday, Trump's 80th birthday, and discussed the wars in Ukraine and Iran and an upcoming visit of Washington's envoys to Russia, the Kremlin said.

"The conversation focused on the situation surrounding the memorandum of understanding being drafted between the United States and Iran. Donald Trump said an agreement is close," Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.

Ushakov also said that "it has been agreed that US presidential special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are currently closely involved in Iranian affairs, will return to Russia soon".

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he will discuss the Russian invasion and peace efforts to end it during a meeting with Trump at the G7 summit in France.

Zelensky, who earlier spoke by phone with the US leader, said they "discussed things that could help bring about peace now, and I informed the president about the latest developments on the battlefield and how our position has strengthened. We agreed that we will discuss more during our meeting at the G7 summit."


Six Killed as Helicopters Collide in Rio de Janeiro

A fire truck is seen next to burned vehicles at the site of a helicopter crash in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 14, 2026. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)
A fire truck is seen next to burned vehicles at the site of a helicopter crash in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 14, 2026. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)
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Six Killed as Helicopters Collide in Rio de Janeiro

A fire truck is seen next to burned vehicles at the site of a helicopter crash in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 14, 2026. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)
A fire truck is seen next to burned vehicles at the site of a helicopter crash in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 14, 2026. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)

At least six people died in Brazil on Sunday after two helicopters collided in western Rio de Janeiro, firefighters said.

The helicopters crashed into the parking lot of an electric car dealership, igniting a fire that engulfed at least 20 vehicles.

A statement from firefighters said that initial reports pointed to a mid-air collision, adding "six fatalities have been confirmed, all were crew members of the aircraft involved in the accident."

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said that there were "foreign nationals on board one of the aircraft," without giving further details.

Fire services spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Fabio Contreiras told CNN Brasil at the scene that it was unclear exactly how the accident unfolded.

"Parts of the aircraft are scattered hundreds of meters away, so the information we have is still very preliminary. We really need to get the recordings and videos to understand exactly what happened," AFP quoted him saying said.

Contreiras said rescue workers had discovered one helicopter in flames among the electric cars, with five victims inside.

A second helicopter found some 100 meters away was carrying only the pilot, who also died.

The accident took place in the suburb of Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

Images in local media showed a thick plume of black smoke rising from the car dealership, where several vehicles were on fire.

Contreiras said the fact that the aircraft had crashed in the parking area had prevented a higher death toll.

"Given the surrounding residences, the accident could have been far more tragic," he said.

He highlighted the challenges in fighting a fire impacting electric vehicles, which contain lithium-ion batteries.

"When this type of battery catches fire, it releases highly toxic gases and intensifies both the temperature and the severity of the blaze. Extinguishing a fire in one of these vehicles requires three to four times the amount of water needed for a fire in a standard car."


Somaliland President Makes 'Historic' Visit to Israel

Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (L) is welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, 14 June 2026, during his first visit to Israel.  EPA/ABIR SULTAN
Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (L) is welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, 14 June 2026, during his first visit to Israel. EPA/ABIR SULTAN
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Somaliland President Makes 'Historic' Visit to Israel

Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (L) is welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, 14 June 2026, during his first visit to Israel.  EPA/ABIR SULTAN
Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (L) is welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, 14 June 2026, during his first visit to Israel. EPA/ABIR SULTAN

Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi met his Israeli counterpart on Sunday in Jerusalem in his first-ever state visit, which comes months after Israel officially recognized the breakaway African state.

In December, Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland since it declared its autonomy from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war.

"The visit carries special significance," said Abdullahi, according to a statement issued by the office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

"It is the first state visit by a president of the Republic of Somaliland to another country, and we are deeply appreciative that the State of Israel has chosen to receive us with such an honor on this historic occasion," AFP quoted Abdullahi as saying.

"Somaliland has been talking, has been reaching out to the world leaders for the last 35 years. They were asking only one question: to see us. Only one country desired to see us and recognize Somaliland, and that's the government of Israel and its people."

Somaliland enjoys a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden and has its own currency, passport and army, but has struggled to win international recognition amid concerns in many capitals that this would provoke Somalia and encourage other separatist movements in Africa.

Herzog said that Abdullahi's visit "symbolizes the great potential of this wonderful new partnership", according to the statement, adding that he hoped for increased bilateral "cooperation in a range of fields".

"We both face the threat of radical extremism. We both seek security and stability in the region and in the Horn of Africa. We both see the importance of protecting maritime freedom," Herzog said.

The visit comes just weeks after Israel appointed its first ambassador to Somaliland, a reciprocal move after Somaliland named its own envoy to Israel.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had travelled to Somaliland in January -- a trip that drew sharp condemnation from Somalia, which described it as an "unauthorized incursion".