Overview
- Moscow says it captured the strategic city of Kostiantynivka, but Kyiv and its general staff deny the claim and say Ukrainian forces still hold positions after heavy fighting.
- Ukraine carried out large drone raids that hit a crude terminal near Saint Petersburg and, according to Kyiv, the Kronstadt naval base, while upped strikes on Crimea damaged as many as 16 electrical substations.
- Russian forces replied with major missile and drone barrages against Ukrainian cities, including a new combined strike on Kyiv that set off air defenses and caused civilian casualties and damage.
- President Trump spoke separately with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky to press for renewed mediation before the NATO summit, a diplomatic track that has not halted the recent military escalation.
- Independent analysts say Moscow’s claims of big 2026 gains are exaggerated, and officials warn the attacks are straining Russia’s fuel supplies, public services and budgets and could prompt wider security measures.