Key events on the 1,234th day of Russia’s war on Ukraine:
Fighting
A Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv damaged a maternity hospital, causing widespread panic and injury to patients and newborns.
- In Kharkiv, nine people were injured, and an apartment building was damaged in Russian attacks, with one person killed and five others injured in the surrounding region, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.
Ukrainian drones targeted and destroyed a Russian fighter aircraft plant near Moscow and a missile production facility in the Tula region.
The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed to have downed 155 Ukrainian drones between Thursday and Friday, including 11 heading towards Moscow.
Tula regional governor Dmitry Milyaev reported one death and one injured in a Ukrainian attack on the region, 200km (124 miles) south of Moscow.
- Russia’s Defence Ministry stated that its forces had captured the village of Zelena Dolyna in Donetsk, moving westward.
Politics and diplomacy
The United States is resuming military aid to Ukraine, with senior US officials set to discuss military cooperation with Ukrainian leaders next week.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during a meeting with US diplomat Marco Rubio, discussed Russia’s position on the Ukraine conflict at an ASEAN conference in Malaysia.
Lavrov visited North Korea, marking the latest high-level Russian visit to the isolated country, with plans to meet with North Korea’s foreign minister.
- Following North Korea, Lavrov is expected to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in China.
South Korean intelligence suggests North Korea may deploy more troops to support Russia in Ukraine after already sending over 10,000 soldiers.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine and criticized European leaders for a “militaristic anti-Russian sentiment”.
Russia awaits a major statement from US President Donald Trump, as announced for Monday, according to Peskov.
Peskov defended Russian wartime censorship, speaking of the closure of opposition media and the blocking of social media platforms.
The war in Ukraine and reduced foreign aid may jeopardize support for displaced people, warned IOM Director-General Amy Pope.
- The UNCTAD will not renew its agreement with Moscow to export Russian foodstuffs and fertilizer, citing disagreements.
Weapons
- Germany denies plans to purchase additional F-35 fighter jets, contrary to previous reports, amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- NATO requires more long-range missiles to deter Russian aggression in Europe, as Russia is expected to increase its production of such weaponry.
- Kyiv plans to allocate 260 million hryvnias ($6.2m) to develop a drone interceptor program for defense against Russian drones.
