A Ukrainian commander claims the war will be over by the end of the year; Russia says it will respond if NATO deploys nuclear forces closer to Ukraine

In an exclusive interview with Sky News, he remarked, "The breaking point will be in the second half of August." "By the end of this year, most active combat operations will be over."

According to Russian news media reported by Reuters, Russia's deputy foreign minister has stated that if NATO places nuclear forces near its border, the country will respond.

Ukraine's resistance has also gained substantial territory, forcing Russian forces out of Kharkiv, the country's second largest city. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in late February, the northeastern city has been heavily bombarded, and it was expected to be a primary target for the Kremlin.

According to Ukraine's prosecutor general, the country's war crime probe already has 11,000 cases and 40 suspects.

Iryna Venediktova stated in a tweet on Friday that she is "certain" that more war crimes cases will be brought to court in the near future.