"Saakashvili's Desperate Plea for Freedom Echoed by Zelenskiy"

Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces in eastern and southern Ukraine continues, with Kyiv reporting small territorial gains and intense fighting. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy stated that progress is being made, while Deputy Defense Minister Malyar mentioned the liberation of 9 square kilometers in Donetsk and over 28 square kilometers in the south. NATO's top military official compared the counteroffensive to the Allied D-Day landings in World War II, emphasizing that it is a difficult and slow process. The Ukrainian General Staff reported numerous air strikes, rocket attacks, and clashes in the previous 24 hours. Meanwhile, off the battlefield, Zelenskiy discussed the extension of a grain and fertilizer export deal with German Chancellor Scholz, while Russia's Defense Minister Shoigu called the recent armed rebellion by the leader of the Wagner mercenary group a "provocation."