Russia launched a devastating overnight ballistic missile attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, killing at least nine people and injuring 28 others, including children, according to Ukrainian officials. Multiple explosions rocked the city as missiles struck several districts, leaving damaged buildings, destroyed ambulances, and emergency responders searching through the rubble for survivors.

The strike comes amid an intensifying phase of the Russia-Ukraine war, with both sides increasingly targeting military and energy infrastructure. Ukrainian officials say the country's air defense systems are struggling to intercept Russia's growing use of ballistic missiles, while Kyiv continues to appeal for more Western air defense support.

The attack follows reports of Ukrainian long-range strikes inside Russia targeting logistics hubs, oil refineries, and military infrastructure, highlighting the continued escalation of the conflict.

Russia Launches Massive Missile Strike on Kyiv | 9 Dead, Emergency Services Hit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Russia used a North Korean ballistic missile during its latest wave of attacks on Ukraine.

According to Ukrainian officials, Russia launched 74 missiles and 284 drones in an overnight barrage that struck multiple locations, including central Ukraine, where several civilians, including children, were killed.

Zelenskyy called for increased military support from Western allies, urging the United States and Europe to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses. Meanwhile, Poland has accused Russia of violating its airspace after a missile explosion near the Ukrainian border. Polish authorities say evidence points to a Russian KH-101 cruise missile, while NATO has pledged to take all necessary measures to defend alliance territory.

Zelenskyy: Russia Used North Korean Ballistic Missile | Poland Blames Russian KH-101 Strike

Iran has issued a fresh warning against the United Kingdom, threatening to target RAF Fairford after accusing Britain of assisting US military strikes on Iranian territory. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that any military base used to launch attacks on Iran is now a legitimate target. The warning comes after reports that a US Air Force B-1 bomber departed from RAF Fairford, a major American forward operating base in England, fueling speculation over Britain's role in the escalating West Asia conflict.

Iran threatens UK airbase after US Strikes | RAF Fairford faces warning as Middle East war escalates

Russia has launched another wave of heavy airstrikes across Ukraine, targeting residential areas and a hospital in Zaporizhzhia, leaving multiple civilians injured. As the war intensifies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced plans to jointly produce Patriot missile interceptors with US defense giant Raytheon to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses. The latest attacks have also disrupted Black Sea shipping, pushing global wheat prices higher and raising concerns over international food security. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to urge Western allies to accelerate military assistance as Russian missile and drone attacks intensify.

Russia-Ukraine war escalates|  Zelensky pushes patriot missile production as Black sea crisis deepens

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidS2UDKhh9ZEdp" /></p>

<p>Mark Rutte, the outgoing prime minister of the Netherlands, will succeed Jens Stoltenberg as the next secretary general of NATO, as agreed upon by all 32 nations of the alliance.</p>

<p>Klaus Iohannis, the president of Romania, withdrew his candidacy for the NATO secretary general post on Thursday (June 20), reaffirming Romania's support for Rutte after receiving endorsements from Slovakia and Hungary on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Iohannis said that he had informed NATO allies of his decision to withdraw his candidacy at a meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence.</p>

<p>Rutte's leadership has come when the world is marred with conflicts and major countries are holding their elections. He will assume the position on October 2.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putins-pyongyang-yawn-social-media-buzzes-over-videos-of-bored-putin-at-north-korean-concert-733542">Putin's Pyongyang yawn: Social media buzzes over videos of 'bored' Putin at North Korean concert - See pics</a></strong></p>

<p>Now that Rutte has been confirmed, the succession question is resolved before July, when NATO leaders travel to Washington to commemorate the alliance's 75th anniversary.</p>

<p>Rutte's road to becoming NATO chief hasn't been easy. Since late November, he has been campaigning for the position. Eastern European nations have questioned Rutte's pre-2014 support for Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, and he has been accused of not actively enlisting their support. Nevertheless, Rutte received the support of two-thirds of all NATO members when he announced his candidacy in March.</p>

<p>Rutte was chosen after a lengthy process that saw Stoltenberg's term extended four times. The secretary general's tenure was extended by Allies in 2017 until the end of September 2020. They rescheduled that date to September 2022 in 2019.</p>

<p>Another extension was issued in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. NATO partners decided to give Stoltenberg an additional year as secretary general in July of last year.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Mark Rutte, the outgoing prime minister of the Netherlands, will succeed Jens Stoltenberg as the next secretary general of NATO, as agreed upon by all 32 nations of the alliance.

Mark Rutte, the outgoing prime minister of the Netherlands, will succeed Jens Stoltenberg as the next secretary general of NATO, as agreed upon by all 32 nations of the alliance. Klaus Iohannis, the president of Romania, withdrew his candidacy for the NATO secretary general post on Thursday (June 20), reaffirming Romania's support for Rutte after receiving endorsements from Slovakia and Hungary on Tuesday. Iohannis said that he had informed NATO allies of his decision to withdraw his candidacy at a meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence. Rutte's leadership has come when the world is marred with conflicts and major countries are holding their elections. He will assume the position on October 2. Also read: Putin's Pyongyang yawn: Social media buzzes over videos of 'bored' Putin at North Korean concert - See pics Now that Rutte has been confirmed, the succession question is resolved before July, when NATO leaders travel to Washington to commemorate the alliance's 75th anniversary. Rutte's road to becoming NATO chief hasn't been easy. Since late November, he has been campaigning for the position. Eastern European nations have questioned Rutte's pre-2014 support for Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, and he has been accused of not actively enlisting their support. Nevertheless, Rutte received the support of two-thirds of all NATO members when he announced his candidacy in March. Rutte was chosen after a lengthy process that saw Stoltenberg's term extended four times. The secretary general's tenure was extended by Allies in 2017 until the end of September 2020. They rescheduled that date to September 2022 in 2019. Another extension was issued in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. NATO partners decided to give Stoltenberg an additional year as secretary general in July of last year. (With inputs from agencies)

Mark Rutte to succeed Stoltenberg as NATO secretary general amid escalating global tensions

British prime minister Rishi Sunak ahead of US trip this week has signal support for his defense secretary Ben Wallace as NATO's next chief when asked if he would push in Washington for Wallace's appointment Sunak did not directly answer but heaped praise on his 53-year-old cabinet colleague listening Ben does a fantastic job he's a great defense secretary this is a conversation that is happening amongst leaders around the world more generally and I'm sure it will continue to happen I would say Ben is widely respected amongst his colleagues around the world particularly for the role he's played in Ukraine and supporting Ukraine and and the Britain has always been a leading contributor to NATO.

PM Sunak praises UK defence Chief amid NATO speculations

Sweden has not lost all hope as far as its NATO membership is considered it aspires to be a part of North Atlantic Treaty Organization or the NATO by the time the block holds its Summit in Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius in July this is in line with statements coming from senior officials from Washington.

Sweden, US voice hope for NATO enlargement

Turkey’s parliament voted unanimously to formally approve Finland’s membership to NATO on Thursday. Finland and Sweden both applied to NATO in May 2022 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. NATO membership requires the unanimous consent of all member nations. Finland passed its last test in the membership process with Ankara's decision late on Thursday.

Turkey formally approves Finland’s NATO membership

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday quoted Russia as one the of biggest challenge for NATO. 'We must not overrate China and just need to find the right balance', She added. Chancellor Merkel is expected to meet US President Joe Biden in July to discuss China and Russia.

'Russia poses one of the biggest challenges for NATO': Angela Merkel

NATO leaders have agreed to maintain funding for Kabul's civilian airport after the U.S.-led withdrawal of allied troops from Afghanistan.

NATO vows to keep Kabul Airport running after troop pullout

The language in the summit's final communique, which will set the path for alliance policy, came a day after the Group of Seven (G7) rich nations issued a statement on human rights in China and Taiwan

NATO's communique against China much sharper than G7

Confirmation of the pullout came just a day after Biden defended the decision in a speech to a joint session of Congress.

NATO troops leaving Afghanistan as fighting escalates

Stoltenberg called Moscow's recent troop deployment the biggest military buildup since the conflict in eastern Ukraine began.

'Russia must end military buildup': NATO

US has now issued warning to Russia over its troop build-up. United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned Russia of consequences if it escalates tensions on the Ukrainian border.

'There will be consequences', Antony Blinken warns Russia

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has not yet decided if the 10,000 troops it has in Afghanistan will leave the country by May.

NATO waits on US to review troop withdrawal from Afghanistan

The secretary-general wants to see an increase in alliance funding for the core deterrence and defence activities.

NATO defence ministers to discuss future of alliance

<p>An attempt by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to boast about its expansion backfired after it prompted an online war.</p>

<p>The Brussels-based organisation had posted a tweet on social networking site Twitter comprising the flags of its original members in 1949.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">How it started How it's going<br />
<br />
🇧🇪🇨🇦🇩🇰🇫🇷🇮🇸 🇦🇱🇧🇪🇧🇬🇨🇦🇭🇷<br />
🇮🇹🇱🇺🇳🇱🇳🇴🇵🇹 🇨🇿🇩🇰🇪🇪🇫🇷🇩🇪<br />
🇬🇧🇺🇸 🇬🇷🇭🇺🇮🇸🇮🇹🇱🇻<br />
🇱🇹🇱🇺🇲🇪🇳🇱🇲🇰<br />
🇳🇴🇵🇱🇵🇹🇷🇴🇸🇰<br />
🇸🇮🇪🇸🇹🇷🇬🇧🇺🇸<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreNATO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreNATO</a></p>
— NATO (@NATO) <a href="https://twitter.com/NATO/status/1315611227138199555?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>However, the ''how it started vs how it's going'' meme received an unexpected response and&nbsp;triggered a virtual bloodbath.</p>

<p>The replies that ensued the tweet ranged from calls to kick out Turkey and hopes for expansion in Ukraine, Georgia and the Balkans to another warfront between Armenia and Azerbaijan.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Quite a succes, having Turkey on board...</p>
— Publius031 #VerenigdRechts (@Publius0311) <a href="https://twitter.com/Publius0311/status/1315611460492562433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">And how it should be... <a href="https://t.co/2qzvbY38KM">pic.twitter.com/2qzvbY38KM</a></p>
— Ghanem Nuseibeh (@gnuseibeh) <a href="https://twitter.com/gnuseibeh/status/1315632227808669697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's military aggression has put the country at odds with&nbsp;NATO and has become its&nbsp;biggest liability.</p>

<p><strong>Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fall-of-democracy-turkeys-erdogan-openly-challenging-natos-values-333294">Fall of democracy: Turkey's Erdogan openly challenging NATO's values</a></strong></p>

<p>NATO, which was created in&nbsp;1949, has 30 members. In the aftermath of the second world war, the purpose was to secure peace in Europe, especially against the Soviet Union. Then the Soviet Union fell and the relevance of NATO came into question.</p>

<p>Turkey joined the organisation in 1952 because there was a synergy of interests. Turkey didn't want to fall under the Soviet influence and its military made key contributions in the fight.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-under-erdogan-caught-between-democracy-and-dictatorship-333285"><strong>Also read|&nbsp;Turkey under Erdogan: Caught between democracy and dictatorship</strong></a></p>

<p>However, that is no longer the case. Today, Erdogan is on a collision course with the NATO. It is fighting the allies of NATO itself and that has been visible in Turkey's key activities in the past one year.</p>

<p>In January, Turkey violated a United Nations arms embrago in Libya. Turkish warships escorted a vessel suspected of smuggling weapons into Libya. By June, Turkey was locked in a direct face-off against Greece and France.</p>

<p>Now, Turkey is fueling another conflict&nbsp;in Nagorno-Karabakh.&nbsp;Turkey is arming Azerbaijan against Armenia.</p>

<p>NATO called for a ceasefire, but Turkey refuses to pay heed to such calls.</p>


An attempt by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to boast about its expansion backfired after it prompted an online war. The Brussels-based organisation had posted a tweet on social networking site Twitter comprising the flags of its original members in 1949.

An attempt by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to boast about its expansion backfired after it prompted an online war. The Brussels-based organisation had posted a tweet on social networking site Twitter comprising the flags of its original members in 1949. How it started How it's going 🇧🇪🇨🇦🇩🇰🇫🇷🇮🇸 🇦🇱🇧🇪🇧🇬🇨🇦🇭🇷 🇮🇹🇱🇺🇳🇱🇳🇴🇵🇹 🇨🇿🇩🇰🇪🇪🇫🇷🇩🇪 🇬🇧🇺🇸 🇬🇷🇭🇺🇮🇸🇮🇹🇱🇻 🇱🇹🇱🇺🇲🇪🇳🇱🇲🇰 🇳🇴🇵🇱🇵🇹🇷🇴🇸🇰 🇸🇮🇪🇸🇹🇷🇬🇧🇺🇸#WeAreNATO — NATO (@NATO) October 12, 2020 × However, the ''how it started vs how it's going'' meme received an unexpected response and triggered a virtual bloodbath. The replies that ensued the tweet ranged from calls to kick out Turkey and hopes for expansion in Ukraine, Georgia and the Balkans to another warfront between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Quite a succes, having Turkey on board... — Publius031 #VerenigdRechts (@Publius0311) October 12, 2020 × And how it should be... pic.twitter.com/2qzvbY38KM — Ghanem Nuseibeh (@gnuseibeh) October 12, 2020 × Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's military aggression has put the country at odds with NATO and has become its biggest liability. Also read| Fall of democracy: Turkey's Erdogan openly challenging NATO's values NATO, which was created in 1949, has 30 members. In the aftermath of the second world war, the purpose was to secure peace in Europe, especially against the Soviet Union. Then the Soviet Union fell and the relevance of NATO came into question. Turkey joined the organisation in 1952 because there was a synergy of interests. Turkey didn't want to fall under the Soviet influence and its military made key contributions in the fight. Also read| Turkey under Erdogan: Caught between democracy and dictatorship However, that is no longer the case. Today, Erdogan is on a collision course with the NATO. It is fighting the allies of NATO itself and that has been visible in Turkey's key activities in the past one year. In January, Turkey violated a United Nations arms embrago in Libya. Turkish warships escorted a vessel suspected of smuggling weapons into Libya. By June, Turkey was locked in a direct face-off against Greece and France. Now, Turkey is fueling another conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkey is arming Azerbaijan against Armenia. NATO called for a ceasefire, but Turkey refuses to pay heed to such calls.

NATO's expansionism tweet triggers online war

Greece and Turkey have agreed to talks to avoid accidental clashes in the Eastern Mediterranean, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

NATO: Greece, Turkey agree to talks over Eastern Mediterranean

The U.S. military on Wednesday unveiled plans to withdraw about 12,000 troops from Germany. Trump announced his intention last month to cut by about a third the 36,000-strong U.S. troop contingent in Germany

U.S to withdraw about 12,000 troops from Germany; Trump says 'The move is strategic'

US Troops withdrawal from Germany | Trump's move hints at growing cracks in NATO

The move would reduce US troop numbers in Germany to 25,000, compared with the 34,500 currently there, a senior US official said.

Trump orders to withdraw 9500 US troops from Germany

U.S. President Donald Trump said he supported expanding the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to include Middle Eastern nations, as the United States seeks to limit its troop footprint globally.

Trump floats expanding NATO to add Middle East

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