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South Korea announced plans to train 500,000 military personnel as drone operators and produce tens of thousands of drones by 2029, aiming to make drones a standard tool for every soldier. The initiative, driven by lessons from recent conflicts and concerns over North Korea's advancing drone capabilities, includes a shift to 100% domestically produced components.
The European Commission has proposed denying temporary protection to newly arriving Ukrainian men of military age, aligning with a request from Kyiv. The initiative, which would extend protections for others until 2028, has drawn opposition from Hungary and other EU states.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko met in Valdai for informal talks covering the Union State agenda, trade and economic cooperation, and regional security, with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin joining on the second day. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the discussions were highly substantive, and denied that Lukashenko conveyed messages from Ukrainian President Zelensky.
Russia's rhythmic gymnastics team withdrew from the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, after organizers banned the national flag and anthem. Russian officials condemned the decision, with the sports minister vowing to push for Romania to lose hosting rights for international tournaments.
The Bank of Russia has set the official dollar rate at 77.0611 rubles for June 27-29, 2026, up 1 ruble and 42.64 kopecks from the previous figure. The euro and yuan also rose against the ruble.
Argentina have already secured top spot in Group J, and coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to rest key players for the final group match against Jordan. Lionel Messi will start on the bench but may feature later, while several players are in line for their World Cup debuts. Jordan, already eliminated, are playing for pride after two losses in their first World Cup.
Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia, with Moscow reporting 660 drones intercepted across 13 regions and Crimea. The strikes targeted energy and industrial facilities, causing fuel shortages and power outages, while Ukrainian officials accused Belarus of aiding Russia's drone operations.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak says the domestic market is fully supplied with fuel despite localized disruptions, while considering a short-term ban on diesel exports. Reports also mention possible fuel imports and subsidies amid Ukrainian strikes on refineries.
Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller reported record global gas consumption of 4.3 trillion cubic meters in 2025 and projected further growth by 2050. He also detailed the company's progress on major infrastructure projects, including an 80% complete processing complex in Ust-Luga and the upcoming Belogorsk-Khabarovsk pipeline, while suggesting that foreign energy companies are returning to oil and gas investments.
Yonhap News Agency hosted the annual Korean Peninsula Symposium in Seoul, co-hosted by the Ministry of Unification and the Institute for National Security Strategy. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young called for a practical, phased approach to the North Korean nuclear issue, while President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed a commitment to pragmatic diplomacy.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia has sufficient fuel reserves for the domestic market, though the situation remains tense amid summer demand and refinery repairs. Authorities are considering a ban on diesel exports and have already imposed a total ban on gasoline and jet fuel exports.
Russian authorities say a minor was detained in Dagestan for running an online community linked to terrorist organizations, recruiting teenagers to attack schools and spread bombing threats. The FSB alleges coordination and financing by Ukrainian special services, with claims of international expansion and confirmed involvement in multiple crimes.
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, urging reduced trade deficits and diversified exports. The visit highlights Dhaka's efforts to balance ties with China and India amid a complex geopolitical landscape.
Poland and Baltic states are preparing for potential Russian provocations, with US intelligence warnings and Latvian intelligence citing hybrid attack risks. NATO's Article 5 commitment and upcoming summit in Turkey are central to the response.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back announced on Friday that South Korea will accelerate efforts to field a long-range suicide drone system, named K-Lucas, to bolster its unmanned weapons capabilities. The system is reverse-engineered from Iran's Shahed-136 drones, and the plan includes acquiring over 20,000 low-cost drones by 2030 and restructuring the Drone Operations Command.
South Korea announced plans to lower fuel price ceilings and freeze electricity and gas rates for the second half of the year to combat inflation, citing easing geopolitical tensions and declining global crude oil prices. The government aims to keep inflation around 3 percent.
Senators Tim Kaine and Dan Sullivan have reintroduced a bill to reauthorize the North Korean Human Rights Act, which expired in 2022. The legislation aims to extend humanitarian aid and democracy programs until 2030 and includes provisions to sanction officials involved in repatriating North Korean defectors. A similar House bill was introduced in November.
Right-wing populist leaders are gaining ground across Latin America, with recent victories in Colombia, Chile, and Argentina. Analysts attribute the trend to a political landscape favoring outsiders and widespread voter discontent, rather than a deep ideological realignment.
FIFA has cleared Russia's U-15 boys' and girls' teams to participate in youth world championships, according to a statement from the governing body. Russia's sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev welcomed the decision as a significant step toward the full return of Russian teams to international competitions, while noting the 2026 U-15 World Cup will be hosted by Azerbaijan.
FIFA has announced that its inaugural U-15 World Cup and Festival, scheduled for October in Azerbaijan, will be open to all member associations, potentially allowing Russia to participate for the first time since its 2022 ban. However, conflicting reports regarding the tournament's location and date have emerged, with some suggesting a September event in the United States.