Russian media say two of the country's fighter jets and two helicopters have crashed in separate incidents near the border with Ukraine in Russia's Bryansk region. It comes as Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been in Rome, meeting the Italian prime minister and Pope Francis.

Kyiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy seeks more support across Europe

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni greeted each other like old friends. It's the first time since Ukraine's president has visited Italy since Russia invaded his country last year. But the two met in February when Meloni travelled to Kiev to assure him of Italy's continued support. She insists this hasn't wavered. Italy proved with its actions its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, which is the victim of an unjust and brutal aggression by the Russian Federation, and this is what Italy intends to continue to do. On behalf of all Ukrainians, I'm grateful to all Italians whose hearts do not remain indifferent to evil and who support us with aid and defence. Then it was off to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis, who's been working on a peace plan. But for Zelensky, a satisfactory peace requires Ukraine's much-anticipated spring offensive be successful, and for that he needs to keep the flow of weapons and money from allies open. On Saturday, Germany unveiled its biggest military aid package of the war so far, $3 billion worth of armoured vehicles, artillery, anti-aircraft systems and drones. And the EU has pledged that Member States will speed up ammunition supplies. In the Bermuda area, where fighting continues, Ukraine needs about 1,000 shots of artillery per day, 1,000 per day just in Bermuda, in order to have an idea of the intensity of the fighting and to have an idea of the intensity of the fighting. On the front lines, early signs of Ukraine's offensive are taking shape. Though this footage isn't independently verified, Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade says it's them pushing back Russian forces flanking the embattled city of Bakhmut. Ukraine has also been showing new deeper strike capabilities. This is the aftermath of an attack in Russian-occupied Lugansk. It's been reported that Ukraine used two Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which the UK recently announced it had supplied Kiev. Adding to Russia's sense of unease that momentum is swinging against them, several Russian aircraft came down in what should be safe territory. As many as two military helicopters and two jet fighters were destroyed across the Russian border in Bryansk. Whether by friendly fire or Ukrainian attack, it's more bad news for Russia's military. And good news for the Ukrainian forces set on winning back their land. For the Daily Challenge, I'm Al Jazeera.

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Canberra

Scott Morrison reveals he was being treated for anxiety

An Australian journalist has been named as a key figure in Donald Trump's criminal trial. Dylan Howard, the former editor of the National Enquirer in the U.S. accused of buying and burying negative stories as part of a deal to help him become President.

New York

U.S. Presidential Election

The Australian journalist caught up in Trump trial

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Council of the City of Sydney

Reserve Bank set to raise interest rates, expert predicts

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Marsden Park

Mourners farewell Bondi security guard Faraz Tahir

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Washington

U.S. Supreme Court weighs arguments on Trump immunity case

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Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction overturned

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Jerusalem

Israel-Gaza War

Israel steps up airstrikes on Rafah ahead of ground operation

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Port-au-Prince

Haiti interim transition council to be sworn in

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Beirut

Israel says forces carrying out 'offensive action' in south Lebanon

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Doha

Russia and Ukraine to exchange dozens of displaced children

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Phoenix

Giuliani indicted in election vote-rigging case

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Geographe

Mass whale stranding in southwest WA

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Kokoda

Australian Prime Minister's Kokoda pilgrimage

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Wakeley

Teenagers face court over terrorism offences

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Biden to sign law that could ban TikTok in U.S.

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London

Runaway horses cause peak-hour chaos in London

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Sderot

U.N. calls for inquiry after unmarked graves found in Gaza

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Athens

'Apocalyptic' orange haze descends on Athens

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Thousands of veterans take part in ANZAC Day marches

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Biden signs Ukraine, Israel aid, TikTok ban package

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Pyongyang

North Korea delegation visits Iran in rare public trip

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Berlin

Germany to resume funding UNRWA Palestinian agency

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Justice Dept. to pay $139 million to USA Gymnastics abuse victims

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U.N. calls for investigation into Gaza mass graves

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Stabbed Sydney bishop supports Musk stance

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Teenagers arrested in ongoing Sydney anti-terror raids

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U.S. Senate approves $95b aid package for Israel and Ukraine

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Beijing

Blinken heads to China amid rising concern in Europe

After a tribal welcome to the mountains of Papua New Guinea, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spent the night camping on the Kokoda Track in an Anzac Day trek aimed at drawing the two countries closer.

Prime Minister walking the Kokoda Track

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Ukraine Invasion