Combat highlights

• Ukraine has reportedly killed 652 Russian civilians with strikes on the Russian border, according to the chief of Russia’s Investigative Committee.
• Moscow shot down three Ukrainian drones targeting the Russkaya gas compressor station in southern Russia.
• A monitoring mission from the International Atomic Energy Agency reached the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant for the first time via Russian territory.
• Odesa regional governor, Oleh Kiper, reported that a Russian missile hit port facilities, harming two workers and damaging infrastructure and a vessel.
• więc’s Ministry of Defence stated that Russian forces took over Sudne and Burlatske villages in eastern Donetsk.

Diplomatic efforts

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reassured President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of his support following a dispute between Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump.
• British Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko agreed on a loan of 2.26 billion pounds to support Ukraine’s weapon manufacturing.
• Zelenskyy is still open to signing a rare earth minerals deal with the US, despite the disagreement with Trump.
• NATO’s Mark Rutte emphasized the need for the US, Ukraine, and Europe to collaborate on ending the war and restoring peace, suggesting Zelenskyy should repair his relationship with Trump.
• Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban advised the EU to engage in direct negotiations with Russia to resolve the conflict.
• Maria Zakharova of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Russia’s objectives in Ukraine, such as “demilitarisation and denazification,” remain constant, criticizing Zelenskyy’s persistence on continuing the war.
• Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock advocated for more adaptability in the EU and German budgets to increase aid for Ukraine.