Russia, Ukraine report fighting across front lines

Both Russia and Ukraine on Friday reported ongoing battles across the front lines.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that its forces had struck Ukrainian military-industrial enterprises, electronic intelligence system bases, ammunition depots, and other targets in the past week.

Russian air defense forces shot down a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet and over 1,000 drones, and intercepted air bombs, HIMARS rockets, and two modified S-200 missiles. And Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian U.S.-made speed boat and several unmanned surface vehicles in the Black Sea.

Also on Friday, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported over 100 battles with Russian forces on the front lines as of Friday afternoon, with the fiercest fighting taking place in the Pokrovsk direction.

Interfax-Ukraine, a Ukrainian news agency, said that in the early hours of Friday, Ukrainian forces used drones to attack a Russian military airfield in Crimea.

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) is ready to completely withdraw from the governmental scene in the Gaza Strip and engage in a positive and constructive manner with the second phase of the plan to end the war in the enclave, said Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim on Friday. In a statement, Naim said that the ceasefire deal became an international plan after being adopted by the United Nations Security Council. However, it is now facing obstacles.

He accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of reneging on his commitments and escalating the situation, in an attempt to return to war and save his political career. Pointing out that Israeli strikes have caused hundreds of casualties since the announcement of the ceasefire, the Hamas official said the escalation cannot occur without cover or green light from the United States. He said Hamas has committed to all its obligations under the ceasefire agreement, as attested by the mediators and the U.S., adding that it is ready for the second phase of the agreement.

He emphasized the Movement's commitment to the establishment of a fully empowered Palestinian body to administer Gaza, and its complete withdrawal from the governmental scene.

Naim warned that the situation will not be sustainable if the continued escalation of Israeli military operations and the persistence of the catastrophic humanitarian situation remain unaddressed, adding that the circle of fire may expand, which is what Netanyahu aspires to.

Since a ceasefire took effect on Oct 10, 2025, Gaza's death toll has risen to 439 with 1,223 injuries, according to local health authorities on Friday. Rescue teams have recovered 688 bodies during that period. In the broader conflict, at least 71,409 Palestinians have been killed and 171,304 wounded since Israel's military campaign in Gaza began in October 2023.