Ukraine faced an intense overnight assault between Thursday and Friday, March 7, as Russian forces launched at least 58 missiles and 194 drones, the Ukrainian military announced. The attack prompted Kyiv to deploy French Mirage 2000 fighter jets for the first time, marking a significant milestone in Ukraine’s air defense efforts.
In a statement, the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that its forces successfully intercepted 134 targets, including 34 missiles and 100 drones. The operation comes at a critical moment, as the suspension of U.S. military aid raises concerns about Ukraine’s ability to sustain its air defense capabilities.
"It is worth noting that the French fighters, which arrived in Ukraine only a month ago, participated for the first time in repelling an enemy air attack," the Ukrainian military stated.
Russian Strikes Devastate Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure
Moscow has intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector, with missiles and drones striking key power and gas facilities. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko reported that critical infrastructure across multiple regions was targeted in the latest wave of strikes.
"Energy and gas infrastructure in several regions of Ukraine is again under massive missile and drone bombardment," Halushchenko announced, assuring that measures were being taken to stabilize supplies.
In Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, four civilians were injured overnight in an attack on non-military infrastructure, the city's mayor confirmed on Telegram.
François Bayrou Criticizes Donald Trump for "Reversing Alliances"
French political leader François Bayrou strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of turning allies into adversaries and destabilizing global security.
"We had an alliance of freedoms, and now Trump is reversing it—and not halfway," Bayrou stated during an interview on CNews and Europe 1.
"I blame him for dismantling the frameworks that allowed us to live in peace. I blame him for making the world more insecure and dangerous than it was," he added.
China Calls for Peace Negotiations in Ukraine
Beijing reiterated its neutral stance on the war in Ukraine, urging for renewed diplomatic efforts.
"There is no winner in a conflict, and there is no loser in a negotiation. The negotiating table is both the end of the conflict and the starting point of peace," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a press conference in Beijing.
While China has positioned itself as a potential mediator, Western leaders remain skeptical of Beijing’s close ties with Moscow.
Macron Labels Putin a "Revisionist Imperialist" Amid War of Words
French President Emmanuel Macron responded sharply to Vladimir Putin’s latest remarks, in which the Russian leader criticized Western attitudes toward history and appeared to take aim at France.
"There are still people who want to return to the time of Napoleon, forgetting how it ended," Putin said Thursday.
Macron dismissed the comparison, instead accusing Putin of distorting history to justify Russian aggression.
"Napoleon led conquests. The only imperial power that I see today in Europe is called Russia," Macron stated, labeling Putin a "revisionist imperialist".
U.S.-Ukraine Talks Planned in Saudi Arabia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ahead of a U.S.-Ukraine meeting in Riyadh.
The discussions, which will include U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, are expected to address the possibility of a ceasefire with Russia.
EU Leaders Approve Major Defense Spending Initiative
Amid growing security threats, European leaders convened for an emergency summit in Brussels, where they approved the "Rearming Europe" initiative, a strategic plan to mobilize €800 billion to strengthen the continent’s defense capabilities.
In their final statement, the EU’s 27 leaders emphasized the need to significantly increase defense spending, urging the European Commission to fast-track concrete proposals.
As part of the initiative, €150 billion will be made available in the form of loans to support defense modernization across member states.
With the geopolitical landscape rapidly evolving, Europe’s push for greater military autonomy signals a decisive shift in its security posture, as the region grapples with Russian aggression and shifting U.S. policies.
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