Newscast

The bulletin reported that President Macron called for calm and said nothing justifies violence in a national address after large protests across France, with half a million people demonstrating and nearly 2,400 arrested. Canada's prime minister confirmed four soldiers died and dozens were injured in an explosion at a military base in Alberta. Protests in Albania continued for a sixth day, with police and protesters clashing in Tirana during student-led demonstrations over poor education facilities, the cost of living and alleged government corruption. Ukrainian drones hit a Russian oil refinery in St Petersburg, while Russia said its air defence units shot down more than 1,000 Ukrainian drones. Pope Leo thanked those who prayed for him in his first Vatican address since cancer surgery and said he would resume work gradually.

The Security Brief focused on Russia's war in Ukraine and the revolution in warfare, from tanks and trenches to drones and artificial intelligence. It examined a Russian drone base at Simbalova and attacks on Kyiv, newer jet-powered Russian drones including the Geran-4, Geran-5 and Banderol, and Ukrainian jet-powered interceptors. Brigadier Stu Nasse discussed the UK-led drone coalition and said Ukraine had taught NATO about uncrewed warfare and that stockpiles become obsolete quickly. NATO's Air Chief Marshal Sir Johnny Stringer wanted more hard-edged capability on the alliance's eastern flank, while Sir Richard Knighton identified air and missile defence as a major NATO gap. The programme also discussed Russian ballistic and hypersonic missiles, including the Oreshnik, and the need for layered defences.

Dr Fiona Hill said Russia was already attacking Europe through sabotage and cyber operations, citing MH17 and NotPetya, and warned that Moscow could exploit disaffected people. Discussion then turned to European political divisions and NATO uncertainty over gray-zone attacks. Dan Johnson reported from Kyiv that five missile strikes had hit the edge of the city before sirens sounded, and described Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi counteroffensive, including integration of infantry with unmanned units, robots used behind Russian lines and around 170 square kilometres of territory retaken. Boris Drozhak described his company's unmanned ground vehicles, which began with non-kinetic tasks and later supported kinetic operations, and said they were operated more like avatars than fully autonomous robots.