US weighs shifting Ukraine aid to Middle East as Kyiv warns of delays and Russia steps up drone strikes

Washington reportedly weighs redirecting Ukraine air-defense missiles and other aid to the Middle East under the PURL program, raising Kyiv concerns about delays even as NATO says PURL deliveries are on track; Russia ramps up drone strikes. Ukraine says it has liberated nine settlements in the Oleksandrivka sector, retaken about 440 sq km and 2,653 Russian troops killed in two months. A Russian shadow-fleet oil tanker, Altura, was hit by a drone in the Black Sea. Iran and Russia deepen cooperation, with Iran's president praising Putin, while Zelensky attends meetings in Saudi Arabia.