Battlefield gains and drone deals with Europe have given Kyiv rare leverage heading into the G7 world leaders’ summit, even as Washington's attention is elsewhere.

Residents in Russia’s largest cities have largely been sheltered from the daily realities of the war with Ukraine. But Kyiv’s long-range attacks are changing that.

Once Russian soldiers reach certain parts of the front lines of the war in Ukraine, they can expect to live an average of just 20 to 35 minutes, according to a grim estimate by Russian military bloggers.

Europe’s support, says Katarina Mathernova, the EU ’s ambassador to Ukraine, “has been more resilient than we could have dared imagine.” Yet although Europe’s takeover gives it leverage, ministers and officials acknowledge that their governments are still groping towards a strategy that goes beyond maintaining Ukraine’s survival.

As drones radically change how wars are fought, Ukraine is putting would-be pilots through a test of nerves and skill before sending them to fight.

Several retired U.S. generals and the former director of a U.S. intelligence agency told CBS News they believe Ukraine now has the upper hand in the war with Russia.

At the start of 2026, Russia’s war in Ukraine surpassed World War II in length. As of June 10, the war in Ukraine has lasted as long as World War I — 1,568 days. Of course, a regional war of the 21st century has little in common with a global conflict of the 20th.

Ukraine is mounting heavy, crew-served M2 Brownings on war robots, putting the iconic gun to work while keeping troops farther back.