Four and a half years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the conflict has evolved into a war increasingly fought in the air by drones. Ukraine has scaled up to become the world's leading manufacturer of unmanned systems, responding to nightly attacks from Russian ballistic missiles and Iranian-designed Shahed drones.
Ukraine's Drone Offensive
Ukraine's retaliatory campaign targeting Russian energy and retail infrastructure is bringing the war to the doorsteps of Russians, making life uncomfortable for Putin's regime. The 'special military operation' expected to last days has dragged on for years.
In this week's Guardian Weekly, Luke Harding gains exclusive access to Ukraine's elite drone strike force, going behind the scenes with senior commanders.
Zelenskyy's Shifting Fortunes
Robert Tait reports on how Ukraine's growing defensive knowhow against Iranian drones has unexpectedly brought Volodymyr Zelenskyy back into favour with Donald Trump's White House. However, Zelenskyy faces growing pressure at home over his decision to sideline a popular military commander, as Michael Segalov explains.
Other Highlights
This edition also features reports on the chaos in Ceuta, where over 70,000 people entered the Spanish enclave; a look at camera-equipped streetlights and surveillance; Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's constituency; Elon Musk's clash with the media; and a new production of Electra/Persona at the National Theatre.
Editor Graham Snowdon recommends a story about a remarkable cat named Karl, while deputy editor Isobel Montgomery praises a countdown of popular invertebrates nominated by Guardian readers.
