Israel widens strikes; Hezbollah, Russia fire missiles; Ukraine shoots down drones

(Originally published Oct. 9 in “What in the World“) Israel on Tuesday sent a fresh division of troops into southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah responded by firing 180 missiles into Israel.

Monday was the anniversary of Hamas’ brutal Oct. 7 invasion of Israel. Israel marked the occasion by stepping up its attacks against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s airstrikes had killed more potential successors to slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israel also launched an airstrike in Syria’s capital, Damascus, in an attempt to kill a Hezbollah official there.

Russia’s advance in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk province continues to gain ground. After capturing the strategic mining town of Vuhledar last week, Moscow’s forces have advanced to the outskirts of Toretsk.

Ukraine’s air defenses, meanwhile, shot down 18 of 19 drones launched against the country by Russia, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to urge Western nations to speed weapons supplies. “It is important that the great countries possessing the necessary weapons are truly great in protecting lives—not by keeping these systems in storage or warehouses, but ensuring that systems like Patriots and others are actively used to save lives,” Zelensky said. Zelensky has accused the West of stalling weapons deliveries to Ukraine.

A Russian hypersonic missile, meanwhile, struck Ukraine’s Starokostiantyniv airbase. Moscow has suggested it believes the base houses Ukraine’s F-16s.