Russia’s defence ministry announced it is preparing “massive strikes” on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in retaliation for a Ukrainian drone campaign that targeted Russian online retailers Wildberries and Ozon, as well as oil and gas facilities. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the planned attacks as an “appropriate response” to what he called Ukraine’s “path of escalation,” adding that Moscow has been “fairly systematic” in striking what it terms Kyiv’s military and war‑related infrastructure.
A missile strike on the Russian city of Belgorod killed two people and injured 16, acting governor Alexander Shuvayev said. The attack hit a commercial facility and ignited fires in seven warehouses. Russian e‑commerce platform Ozon reported that its logistics hub and a sorting facility in Belgorod were also struck, causing a blaze and injuries, though it was not immediately clear if the facilities referenced were the same as those mentioned by the governor.
During an unannounced visit to Moscow, CIA director John Ratcliffe is reported to have floated the idea of a trilateral summit involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to sources cited by Axios. The visit, which was not publicly announced, has generated speculation, while the Kremlin dismissed related reports as “scare‑stories.”
NATO officials acknowledged a rise in Russian hybrid activities across Europe but said there is currently no imminent threat of attack, reaffirming the alliance’s support for Ukraine. In parallel, the UK navy tracked Russian warships, including the destroyer Admiral Levchenko, through the English Channel during a 72‑hour operation, prompting Russia to deploy additional vessels. Ukraine, meanwhile, is seeking to advance part of an EU loan to help cover a budget deficit and has been testing interceptors against Russian jet‑powered drones.
