Exclusive satellite images obtained by CNN reveal the aftermath of attacks on Belbek airbase in the occupied port city of Sevastopol, Crimea. The images depict three destroyed Russian jets and damaged buildings. These losses occurred following two days of assaults by Ukrainian forces on Sevastopol, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.

The images, captured by US-based real-time space intelligence company BlackSky and space technology firm Maxar, show two jets burnt out on the main flight line, with a third parked on a protective embankment. Additionally, a nearby building is shown destroyed, while another has sustained significant damage.

Russian-appointed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev, claimed on Telegram that Russian forces successfully repelled a massive enemy attack, destroying "dozens" of unmanned aerial vehicles and "more than five sea drones." He noted a partial power outage in the city due to drone debris falling on a power substation.

However, Ukrainian army spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk refrained from providing details on a possible Ukrainian strike on Belbek, citing a lack of verified information. Satellite imagery examined by CNN did not indicate hits on missile or artillery warehouses, contradicting claims made by the insurgent Ukrainian group Atesh on Telegram.

Despite recent advances by Russian forces in northeastern Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has postponed his participation in international events to focus on defending against the surprise offensive in the Kharkiv region. This offensive represents the most serious cross-border ground assault since Ukraine recaptured the Kharkiv region in 2022.

NATO believes that while Russian troops have made local advances, they lack the numbers and capability for a strategic breakthrough in Kharkiv. Ukrainian forces are described as facing an "extremely difficult" outlook on the ground, with efforts to strengthen units ongoing.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing underscores the growing alignment between the two countries. The joint statement issued during the meeting emphasizes cooperation on energy, trade, security, and geopolitics, with specific references to Ukraine. This geopolitical alignment indicates potential shifts in global power dynamics amidst the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.