Here are the important updates on day 1,125 of Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Ceasefire Developments

• On Monday, negotiation teams from the United States and Russia concluded a full day of talks in Saudi Arabia with discussions centered on a limited maritime ceasefire proposal. This aims to allow for unrestricted shipping in the Black Sea, supporting broader peace discussions as hoped by Washington.
• A positive update from the White House suggests progress made in the talks, with expectations of an upcoming “positive announcement”.
• Russia – represented by former diplomat Grigory Karasin – engaged constructively in the talks, discussing key issues affecting bilateral relations.

• A forthcoming joint statement by Washington and Moscow was announced by Russia’s state-run news agencies. Further details were not immediately available.
• Defense leaders from the United Kingdom and France reconvened in London to explore alliances that could reinforce any future Ukraine ceasfire as part of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s envisioned “coalition of the willing”.

Military Actions

• Missile attacks by Russia in the Ukrainian city of Sumy resulted in more than 80 casualties, with significant damage to residential and public buildings, including a school and a hospital. Seventeen minors were among those injured.
• A Ukrainian artillery led to casualties among journalists in Luhansk, including the deaths of three reporters from Russian media outlets and a 14-year-old child.

• Russian security agencies reported the attack as being carried out using a HIMARS missile supplied to Ukraine by the U.S.
• According to the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, 18 Ukrainian and foreign journalists have lost their lives in the conflict. Additionally, over 80 media individuals have died while serving in the Ukrainian military.
• Ukrainian military forces claimed to have destroyed four Russian military helicopters near the border, utilizing a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher.

• A cyberattack targeted Ukraine’s state railway service, causing ticketing system failures and mitinks at stations. This incident was viewed as an attempt to destabilize Ukraine’s logistics.

Political and Diplomatic Moves

• Russian President Vladimir Putin gifted a portrait of U.S. President Donald Trump to his special envoy, highlighting ongoing diplomatic interactions.
• Discussions for a strategic deal involving raw materials with Ukraine are nearing agreement, as indicated by President Trump.

Regional Security Matters

• British and French military chiefs met to strengthen their partnership in response to the Ukrainian situation.
• Austrian intelligence uncovered a Russian disinformation campaign targeting public opinion about Ukraine.
• Russia initiated exercises involving Yars ICBMs, showcasing its military readiness.

Sanctions Updates

• A letter by U.S. senators across party lines urges the Trump administration to redirect over $300bn of frozen Russian assets towards aiding Ukraine.
• The Czech Republic prepares to halt Russian oil imports via the Druzhba pipeline, influenced by ongoing sanctions against Russian banks.