Kyiv’s air force reported a significant overnight attack from Russia, claiming to have shot down 42 out of 85 drones. This assault included a ballistic missile strike that left over 20 people injured and damaged residential areas and storage facilities. Meanwhile, Russia’s FSB security service accused Ukrainian intelligence of attempting to recruit Russian citizens by posing as employees of the RAND Corporation, a U.S.-based think tank.
In a notable humanitarian gesture, Russia returned five children to Ukraine as part of mediation efforts led by Qatar. Following a visit to Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, General Oleksandr Syrskii noted that Russian forces were ramping up their offensive, but Ukrainian troops were actively defending and conducting counterattacks to hold their ground.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed that Ukraine had attacked energy facilities in the Bryansk and Kursk regions, as well as in Crimea. However, Ukraine denied these allegations, stating that no attacks on energy infrastructure had occurred since March 25.
In southern Ukraine, Russian shelling resulted in two casualties and disrupted power supplies in Kherson, according to local officials.
In diplomatic developments, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized the importance of China and France working together to promote peace in Ukraine. The UK Prime Minister, Keith Starmer, criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitments regarding a ceasefire, calling them insincere and accusing him of undermining an agreed naval ceasefire in the Black Sea.
Putin proposed that Ukraine be placed under temporary international administration until elections could be held, a suggestion met with skepticism. Kremlin spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused France and the UK of planning a military intervention under the guise of peacekeeping, warning that such actions could lead to conflict with NATO.
A summit in Paris saw around 30 leaders from various countries meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They discussed ways to strengthen Ukraine’s position and the potential involvement of their coalition in future peace negotiations. While the idea of deploying European soldiers to Ukraine was considered, opinions varied among the countries involved. They agreed that now was not the time to ease sanctions on Russia but rather to tighten them further.
Zelenskyy raised concerns about "dangerous signals" from Saudi Arabia regarding the possible lifting of sanctions against Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron indicated that London and Paris were exploring the idea of sending troops to Ukraine after a potential peace deal, although not all European nations supported this plan.
In related news, the Czech Prime Minister announced that his country would continue supplying ammunition to Ukraine, matching last year’s provision of 1.5 million artillery rounds.
On the political front, South Korea reported that North Korea had sent an additional 3,000 soldiers to Russia this year, continuing to supply arms to support Moscow’s military efforts against Ukraine. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov remarked that the restoration of U.S.-Russia relations is in its early stages and that it is premature to make any definitive conclusions.
Zelenskyy also expressed frustration over the U.S. continually changing the terms of a minerals deal between the two nations, clarifying that he did not want to create a negative impression about the agreement.