Russia-Ukraine conflict
Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine is now in its fourth day, with the Kremlin saying that Russian troops have already entered Kharkiv, a city in the northeast. The Russian military also claims to have entirely resigned the cities of Kherson in the south and Berdyansk in the southeast. Meanwhile, a series of blasts were heard to the west of the Ukrainian capital Kiev's center on Sunday, minutes after air raid sirens sounded. Ukrainian media have also reported explosions and a gunfight in a nearby town. Fighting is reportedly underway in the town of Bucha, west of Kiev. This comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's military is in control of the capital.
Russia-Ukraine talks
A Russian delegation has arrived in Belarus for talks with Ukrainian authorities. President Volodymyr Zelensky says he remains open to talks in locations that, in his own words, show no aggression towards Ukraine. The president also says Ukraine is only ready for real talks, and that it won’t accept any conditions or ultimatums. He believes negotiations in Minsk could have been possible if Russia had not attacked Ukraine. Zelensky's advisor has also weighed in, describing the Russian team’s trip to Belarus as pointless.
North Korea missile tests
The South Korean military says the North has fired an unidentified projectile eastward. The Japanese Coast Guard says the projectile could be a ballistic missile. There was no immediate word from the North, but if confirmed, this would be Pyongyang’s eighth missile test this year. North Korea has recently ramped up testing new weapons to modernize its arsenal. Pyongyang insists that such tests are in self-defense in the face of Washington's hostile policies, sanctions, and joint military drills with South Korea.