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Ukraine Claims Russian Summer Offensive Falls Short of Strategic Goals

A firefighter works at the site of an apartment building hit during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine in this handout picture released August 30, 2025. Ukraine’s armed forces have declared that Russia’s much-publicized summer offensive failed to secure full control of any major Ukrainian city, despite Moscow’s claims of significant territorial gains. Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov stated that since March, Russian forces had captured over 3,500 square kilometers of territory and taken control of 149 settlements. However, Ukraine’s General Staff dismissed these figures as “grossly exaggerated,” asserting that no major urban centers were fully occupied by Russian troops. Military analysts note that Russia’s campaign, aimed at seizing the Donbas region and forcing Ukraine into concessions, devolved into a slow, attritional struggle rather than the decisive breakthrough Moscow had anticipated. While Russian ...

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Faith Leaders Unite in Gaza After Tragic Church Strike

 

In a rare and poignant show of unity, top Catholic and Greek Orthodox leaders entered Gaza on Friday to express solidarity with its embattled Christian community following a deadly Israeli strike on the Holy Family Catholic Church. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III led the delegation, marking one of the few outsider visits to the territory since Israel’s offensive began in May.

The church compound, which had been sheltering both Christians and Muslims—including children with disabilities—was hit by shell fragments during Israeli military operations, killing three civilians and wounding ten others, including the parish priest. Israel expressed regret over what it called an accidental strike and launched an investigation.

During their visit, the patriarchs offered prayers, comforted survivors, and pledged humanitarian aid, including hundreds of tons of food and medical supplies. Pope Leo XIV renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire, while global condemnation of the attack continues to mount.

The leaders’ presence served as a powerful reminder of the shared pastoral mission of the Churches of the Holy Land and their commitment to stand with Gaza’s suffering population. As Cardinal Pizzaballa stated, “They will not be forgotten, nor will they be abandoned”.

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