The Ongoing Conflict: Updates on Russia-Ukraine War and Counteroffensive.

Ukrainian troops launched a counteroffensive against Russian forces in the Donetsk region, driving them back in at least two areas. Ukraine has enough weapons to begin its counteroffensive, and the operation will give the country the victory it needs to join NATO, according to Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba. Russia claimed to have repelled a "major offensive" and killed hundreds of Ukrainian troops, but the claims could not be independently verified. The US imposed sanctions on members of a Russian intelligence-linked group for their role in Moscow's efforts to destabilize democracy and influence elections in Moldova.