Lithuanian authorities have charged 13 individuals with two attempted murders in Vilnius linked to Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, according to police chief Saulius Briginas. The suspects allegedly sought to kill a Lithuanian activist and fundraiser for Ukraine, as well as a Russian dissident and activist for the Bashkir minority. The same group is believed to be behind an arson attack on Ukraine-bound military equipment in Bulgaria and espionage against the Greek military.
Briginas described the crimes as 'hybrid-style' acts against European Union countries and individuals supporting Ukraine. Russia's defence ministry did not respond to requests for comment, and Moscow has denied involvement in such operations. However, several prosecutions in target countries, including the UK, have resulted in convictions of individuals acting for Russian paymasters. Lithuania previously accused the GRU of parcel blasts in Europe and attempted arson at an Ikea store and a plant supplying radio scanners to Ukraine's army.
Separately, Ukraine's foreign minister, Andriy Sybiga, summoned Israel's ambassador over a shipment to Haifa allegedly containing stolen Ukrainian grain from Russian-occupied territory. Sybiga warned Israel against accepting the grain, stating it harms bilateral relations. Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar said the matter would be examined, noting Israel abides by the rule of law. The EU found in 2024 that Russia was illegally appropriating Ukrainian grain and routing it to export markets as Russian products.
In southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack on Odesa wounded 14 people, including two children, hitting residential areas and civilian infrastructure. A Ukrainian drone strike killed two people in the Russia-occupied Kherson region. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia had fired approximately 1,900 attack drones, 1,400 guided aerial bombs, and 60 missiles over the past week.
Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, announced plans to build a 'drone armada' with Ukraine's help for defence. Zelenskyy also said Ukraine is scaling up production of ground robots, ordering 25,000 for this year, to deliver supplies, evacuate soldiers, and fire weapons. He noted positive developments, including Nato partners' financial arrangement to buy American weapons and an EU loan of €90 billion.
