**Summary:** On the night of March 29, Russia attacked Ukraine with an "Kinzhal" air-ballistic missile and 442 attack UAVs, with Ukrainian Air Defense shooting down 380 drones of various types. Separately, unknown UAVs attacked the Ust-Luga port in Russia's Leningrad region, causing a fire, though no casualties were reported there.

**Key points:**
- Ukrainian Air Defense reportedly downed 380 enemy UAVs, including "Shahed," "Gerbera," and "Italmas" types, by 09:00.
- Russian forces struck civilian infrastructure and residential areas in Konotop, Sumy region.
- Ten people were injured in the Voskresenska community of Mykolaiv district due to a drone attack and falling debris.
- The attack on Ukraine was ongoing as of the morning reports, with several enemy UAVs still in the airspace.
- The fire at the Ust-Luga port in Russia followed a previous drone attack on the facility on March 25.

**Why it matters:** The event highlights continued large-scale military actions involving drone attacks on both Ukrainian infrastructure and Russian targets, including energy facilities.

Українська правда - ПС: Росія атакувала "Кинджалом" та 442 безпілотниками

TSN.ua - Дрони вдарили по порту у Росії: спалахнула пожежа (відео)

TSN.ua - Удар по Україні: РФ випустила сотні дронів — і це ще не все

Еспресо.tv - У ніч на 29 березня дрони вчергове атакували Ленінградську область РФ. У порту Усть-Луга виникла пожежа

Russia Attacks Ukraine with Missiles and Hundreds of Drones; Fire at Russian Port

**Summary:** Iran conducted a combined missile and drone strike on the Prince Sultan Air Base near El-Kharj in Saudi Arabia, resulting in injuries to 12 American service members, two seriously. Simultaneously, Iran also attacked a warehouse for Ukrainian counter-drone systems in the UAE, causing significant damage to an Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) plant in Abu Dhabi.

**Key points:**
- The attack on the Saudi airbase is considered one of the most serious breaches of US air defense in a month of war with Iran.
- The strike on the UAE targeted a facility reportedly used to assist US military forces, with Iranian reports claiming 21 Ukrainians were present and likely killed, which Ukraine's MFA spokesperson denied.
- The EGA plant in Al-Tawilah, UAE, suffered significant damage, and multiple employees were injured due to falling debris from intercepted missiles.
- The conflict has shifted, with Iran increasingly targeting energy infrastructure in Persian Gulf countries, though US/Israeli interception rates are reported at 80-90%.

**Why it matters:** These attacks mark a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US/Israel coalition, demonstrating Iran's continued capability to strike regional targets despite prior losses.

В ОАЭ алюминиевый завод получил серьезный ущерб в результате атак Ирана - interfax.ru

Компания из ОАЭ сообщила об ущерба из-за ударов Ирана - lenta.ru

Иран ударил по авиабазе в Саудовской Аравии: ранены 12 американских военных - Tengrinews.kz

Война в Иране вступила в новую фазу, как прежде уже не будет, – аналитики - rss.unian.net

Iran Attacks Saudi Airbase, Causing US Casualties; UAE Plant Damaged

**Summary:** Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed defense cooperation agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar during his Gulf tour, aiming to exchange expertise on countering missile and drone threats. These deals are part of Ukraine's effort to leverage its experience against Russian drones in return for financial aid for its conflict with Russia.

**Key points:**
- Agreements focus on collaboration in technological fields, joint investments, and exchanging expertise against missiles and unmanned aerial systems.
- Zelenskyy also visited Saudi Arabia, signing a defense cooperation agreement there on Thursday.
- Ukraine has deployed 201 anti-drone experts to the Middle East to assist Gulf nations.
- The Gulf nations are seeking cheaper defense solutions compared to expensive systems like Patriot missiles ($4m each), as Ukraine offers expertise for about $2,000 per drone downing.
- The increased regional tensions stem from Iranian attacks targeting US assets in the Middle East, which Gulf nations claim put civilians at risk.

**Why it matters:** These agreements link Ukraine's battlefield experience in drone defense to financial and energy security interests of Gulf states amid escalating regional conflict involving Iran.

Ukraine's Zelenskiy agrees defence cooperation with UAE, Qatar during Gulf visit

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy signs air defence deals with UAE, Qatar on Gulf tour

Zelensky firma acuerdos con países del Golfo Pérsico para ayudar en defensa contra ataques iraníes

Zelensky Signs Defense Deals with UAE and Qatar Amid Gulf Tensions

**Summary:** Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat conducted extensive bilateral and multilateral meetings during the World Trade Organization (WTO) 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on March 25-26, 2026. Bolat articulated Turkey's vision for strengthening the multilateral trading system, emphasizing fairness and support for developing nations.

**Key points:**
- Bolat met with trade ministers from Somalia, Ghana, Singapore, South Korea, and the Netherlands.
- Discussions also included meetings with the UK Trade Secretary, EU Commissioner for Trade, US Trade Representative, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Pakistan's Minister of State.
- Bolat visited a silk-screen printing workshop established by TİKA for street children in Yaoundé.
- He also met with Samuel Eto'o, President of the Cameroon Football Federation, to discuss strengthening cultural ties.

**Why it matters:** Turkey used the WTO conference platform to advocate for a rule-based, fair, and inclusive global trade system, drawing attention with its constructive approach that considers the rights of developing countries.

Bakan Bolat , DTÖ Bakanlar Konferansı nda yoğun diplomasi trafiği yürüttü

Bakan Bolat'tan DTÖ Bakanlar Konferansý nda Yoðun Diplomasi Trafiði

ABD , AB ve İngiltere ile masada : Bakan Bolattan dev diplomasi trafiği

Turkish Trade Minister Bolat Engages in Intense Diplomacy at WTO Conference

**Summary:** Legendary golfer Tiger Woods, 50, was involved in a rollover traffic accident on Jupiter Island in Florida on Friday. The cause of the accident is under police investigation, and his physical condition was unknown immediately following the incident.

**Key points:**
- The crash occurred shortly after 18:00 GMT, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office.
- Photos showed the American golfer's SUV ended up overturned on its left side.
- Woods is currently working to return to competition after rupturing his Achilles tendon in 2025.
- This is not the first traffic incident for Woods, who suffered serious leg fractures in a 2021 crash in Los Angeles.

**Why it matters:** Tiger Woods is a legendary golfer with fifteen major wins, and any incident involving him draws significant public and media attention, especially given his recent injury history.

Tiger Woods involved in rollover car crash, according to U.S. reports

El golfista Tiger Woods sufre un accidente de tráfico en Florida (EEUU)

Tiger Woods à nouveau victime d'un accident de la circulation: un véhicule SUV s'est renversé sur le flanc

Tiger Woods involved in rollover car crash in Florida

**Summary:** The US leadership warned European nations that supplies of weapons to Kyiv under the PURL program might face disruptions due to the war in the Middle East. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that if Ukraine refuses to make certain concessions, the war will continue.

**Key points:**
- Potential disruptions affect ammunition supplies, particularly interceptor missiles for Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Washington has conveyed Moscow's demands to Kyiv but cannot make the decision for Ukrainians.
- Rubio previously denied claims by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Washington demanded troop withdrawal from Donbas for security guarantees.
- The US prioritizes replenishing its own arsenals if necessary, as weapons sold under PURL are American-owned.

**Why it matters:** The potential disruption of military aid to Ukraine, linked to US resource allocation for the Middle East conflict, raises concerns about the continuity of support for Kyiv.

США предупредили Европу о возможных проблемах с поставками оружия для Украины

Рубио назвал последствия отказа Украины пойти на уступки

US Warns Europe of Potential Arms Supply Issues for Ukraine Due to Middle East Conflict

**Summary:** The African Union (AU) member states have refused to support the candidacy of former Senegalese President Macky Sall to replace António Guterres as UN Secretary-General. Twenty AU member states opposed the decision, leading to the non-adoption of the official support project.

**Key points:**
- The decision was announced via a verbal note dated March 27, 2026, confirmed by Nuur Mohamud Sheekh, spokesperson for the AU Commission President.
- The project for support was submitted under the 'tacit approval' procedure, which required objections from less than one-third of the 55 member countries.
- Macky Sall's candidacy was initially proposed by Burundi, whose president, Évariste Ndayishimiye, holds the rotating AU presidency.
- The next UN Secretary-General is set to begin their mandate on January 1, 2027.
- Other candidates for the position include Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan, and Virginia Gamba.

**Why it matters:** The failure to secure the AU's official backing significantly jeopardizes Macky Sall's bid for the top UN position, despite the post traditionally rotating to Latin America this cycle.

L’Union africaine ne soutient pas la candidature de Macky Sall à l’ONU - Jeune Afrique

UA : 20 États membres bloquent la candidature de Macky Sall pour le poste de Secrétaire Général de l'ONU - Leral.net

African Union rejects Macky Sall's bid for UN Secretary-General

**Summary:** The Handala Hack group, suspected of being linked to Iran, claimed responsibility for hacking the personal email account of FBI Director Kash Patel and subsequently published personal photos and documents online. The US Department of Justice confirmed the breach of Patel's personal email.

**Key points:**
- The group, Handala Hack Team, posted the materials on their website and Telegram channel.
- The breach targeted the personal email account of Kash Patel, the FBI Director.
- The Department of Justice confirmed the authenticity of the published materials.
- Handala Hack has previously targeted US defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and disrupted Stryker systems.
- The incident is viewed as a geopolitical influence operation due to the alleged link to Iran.
- Authorities have not yet specified if classified information was compromised.

**Why it matters:** This intrusion into the personal communications of a top US security official raises significant concerns about the vulnerability of high-ranking US personnel and escalates cyber tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Quarte Bot