Day 1,038: North Korean Troop Losses, Drone Strikes, and Whispers of Peace

On Day 1,038 of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the conflict continues to escalate. Ukraine reports over 1,000 North Korean soldiers, sent by Russia, have been killed or wounded in action, while Russia claims to have seized two villages in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine’s air defenses shot down 13 of 24 Russian drones overnight, though 11 remain unaccounted for. On the energy front, Ukraine received its first shipment of US liquefied natural gas—a vital step toward European energy independence. Meanwhile, dissent in Russia is silenced harshly, with singer Eduard Sharlot sentenced to over five years in prison for protesting the war. Whispers of peace talks emerge, but the path forward is uncertain. Stay tuned for the latest updates.