Russia

The U.S. is finalizing a massive package of military aid for Ukraine that U.S. officials say is likely to total as much as $2.6 billion. It’s expected to include for the first time nearly 100 Stryker combat vehicles and at least 50 Bradley armored vehicles to allow Ukrainian forces to move more quickly and securely on the front lines in the war with Russia — but not the tanks that Ukraine has sought.

Authorities say as many as 17 people, including Ukraine’s interior ministry’s leadership and four children, were killed in a helicopter crash near a nursery in a suburb of Kyiv. The top officials’ deaths undermined Ukraine’s efforts to halt increased attacks by Russia’s invading army.

The U.S. is gearing up to announce a major new weapons package for Ukraine on Friday, as top military leaders from around the world gather in Germany to discuss how to help Kyiv in its fight against Russia, according to three U.S. officials and another person familiar with the discussions.

Pope Francis urged prayers Sunday for those suffering in wartorn Ukraine on a day that authorities confirmed that at least 14 people were killed and 64 injured at an apartment block hit during a wave of Russian missile attacks across the country. The strikes came shortly after Moscow claimed victory in one of the war’s most brutal battles over a salt mine town in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine defied claims by Russian mercenaries that they seized an eastern Ukrainian town on Wednesday. The capture of Soledar would have been the first Russian military victory in months. But as the day progressed, the Kremlin and Kyiv acknowledged heavy battles in the troubled region.

Russian mercenaries say they have retaken a contested Ukrainian town in the first Russian military victory in months after Moscow suffered significant setbacks.

Wartorn Ukraine denied Sunday that Russia killed hundreds of Ukrainian troops in an attack.