NPR News: 07-03-2026 12AM EDT

Giles Snyder· Host0:00

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Ukraine has declared Friday a day of mourning after Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at the capital city of Kyiv early Thursday. Officials say at least 27 people were killed, scores more wounded. Here's NPR's Greg Myre.

Greg Myre0:17

Ukraine has suffered terribly in the war in terms of the people, uh, sol-soldiers and civilians killed and wounded, the damage to the economy, but it's also s- learned, uh, great resilience, great innovation, um, s- playing a role, um, in, in the security of Europe that others would not have anticipated a few years ago. Uh, I think in some ways, those who survive this war, and Ukraine as a country, will, can come out much, much stronger.

Giles Snyder· Host0:46

And Russia says the attacks were in retaliation for stepped-up Ukrainian drone strikes. Iran is warning oil tankers to use approved routes in the Strait of Hormuz or face what it said would be a forceful response. Iran's joint military command issued that statement on state television Thursday. It's not clear what sparked it. The statement came as Iran is preparing for the days-long funeral of the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Flights at one of Washington, D.C.'s major airports will be temporarily suspended to accommodate America's 250th birthday festivities this weekend. NPR's Joel Rose reports.

Joel Rose1:23

The Federal Aviation Administration says it will suspend air traffic near downtown Washington during the celebration for the country's