Topic: Black Sea Drone

Donald Trump faced international criticism for suggesting he would not defend NATO allies who fail to meet the 2% GDP defense spending requirement. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg acknowledged that the criticism regarding spending is a valid point, noting that 18 members now meet the target. Concurrently, Ukraine reported sinking the Russian ship Caesar Kunikov using naval drones in the Black Sea.

NBC's Richard Engel reports on Ukrainian kamikaze sea drones attacking Russian vessels in the Black Sea, including a landing ship and an oil tanker. Additionally, verified videos indicate Ukraine has begun using U.S.-provided cluster munitions on the eastern front lines while international peace talks commence in Saudi Arabia without Russia.

A U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone crashed into the Black Sea after an encounter with Russian Su-27 fighter jets near Crimea. The Pentagon claims the Russian jets dumped fuel on the drone and clipped its propeller, while Russian officials deny any physical contact, suggesting the drone crashed during sharp maneuvering. The incident highlights the ongoing surveillance of Russian-held territory and the risks of unintended escalation between superpowers.