Ukraine military

Most major military operations are shrouded in secrecy. Ukraine's planned offensive against Russia has been under public debate for months. This has created expectations. Some realistic, some not.

The Ukrainian president spoke to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Parliament, and made a plea for warplanes.

The Female Pilots of Ukraine is the first of its kind in the country at a time when the Ukrainian military has been using drones for reconnaissance and fighting against Russian forces.

Though Italy's new prime minister vows to continue the country's staunch support for Ukraine, much of the public is critical of Italian weapons deliveries and analysts say the government may waver.

While Ukraine's counteroffensive this month was hailed as stunning by military observers, Ukrainian troops tell NPR that Russian forces put up stiff resistance in parts of the Kharkiv region.