Summary: Ukrainian President Zelensky delivers a powerful speech on Independence Day, emphasizing unity and resilience . Zelensky calls for those in occupied territories to return home and highlights Ukrainian strength. President Zelensky reassures the nation of Ukraine's ability to overcome challenges and defend its freedom . The international comm unity , including Norway , stands in solidarity with Ukraine's pursuit of peace . ...

Summary: UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak suggests intelligence indicates Yevgeny Prigozhin 's likely presence on the plane. Collaborative efforts with allied intelligence agencies are underway to uncover further details. Prigozhin , a Russia n businessman tied to the Kremlin , has faced allegations of covert operations. Sunak calls for an end to Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine and expresses solidarity with Ukraine 's stance. ...

Ukrainian President Zelensky Dismisses UK Ambassador Amid 'Gratitude' Controversy Summary: Ukrainian President Zelensky dismisses Vadim Prostyko, the country's UK ambassador, without providing an official reason. Prostyko criticized Zelensky's response to a dispute over gratitude for British military aid during the NATO summit in Lithuania. UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace's remarks about Ukraine needing to show more gratitude for weapons received were misinterpreted. ...

Russian Defense Ministry acknowledges retreat north of Bakhmut A Ukrainian tank rumbled toward back-mood on Friday as Kiev claimed its forces had advanced more than a mile around the shattered ruins of the eastern city. Russian forces have fought for months to seize back-mood without success. The Russian Defense Ministry on Friday said that Ukraine had deployed more than 1,000 troops in up to 40 tanks in more than two dozen attempted attacks in the direction of the town of Solodar. The military admitted it was regrouping its forces, suggesting its fighters had fallen back. The leader of a Russian mercenary force gave a different assessment. Evgeny Progoshin, founder of the Wagner paramilitary group, said the Defense Ministry was lying and Russian forces had been routed and forced to flee. Reuters has been unable to verify reports of battlefield movement. Ukraine this week released w...