War

Two years into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, New Zealanders fighting there are making a desperate appeal. They speak to RNZ's Charlotte Cook. Audio

It is rare for officials to specify how many soldiers have died since Russia's full-scale invasion.

The fourth joint operation by the allies was carried out with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, the Pentagon says.

Analysis - The prime ministers of Italy, Canada and Belgium travelled with the president of the European Commission on an overnight train from neighbouring Poland.

Ukrainians and their supporters gathered in Wellington's Civic Square on Saturday to mark the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The US has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia, targeting more than 500 people and entities to mark the second anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine and the death of Alexei Navalny.

The Defence Force says nearly 100 personnel will be involved in specialised training in Europe by the middle of the year, under the government's extension of support to Ukraine.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has presented his first official "day after" plan for the Gaza Strip once the war ends.

When Israeli special forces rescued two of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas there was relief for their families, but more than 70 people were reported killed on the night.

As the Ukraine war enters its third year, the infantry of 59th Brigade are confronting a bleak reality.

The body of a man who was shot dead in Spain is believed to be that of a Russian helicopter pilot who defected to Ukraine last year.

It was the third US veto of a draft resolution since the start of the current fighting on 7 October.