The United States has flown a spy aircraft over eastern Ukraine to gather intelligence about Russian activity, amid rising tensions with Russia over its military buildup near the Ukrainian border.

NATO is preparing itself for a large-scale armed confrontation with Moscow, says Russia’s deputy defense minister, warning against the US-led alliance’s eastward expansion.

The terse warning to Moscow comes on the eve of a virtual meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The NATO chief has warned that Russia will face “consequences” for any attempt to invade Ukraine.

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un has called for boosting the country's military power, a report says.

Head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Army General Mark Milley warns of Chinese military’s expanding capabilities, insisting on the need to adopt measures to ensure competitive advantage of American armed forces.

Two Ukrainian soldiers are killed during fresh clashes with pro-Russia forces in the restive eastern part of the country.