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- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported Russian strikes on energy infrastructure in Odesa, leaving 160,000 residents without heating and power.
- The Ukrainian military stated that Russia launched 167 drones and two missiles overnight. Ukrainian air defense successfully shot down 106 drones, while 56 others failed to reach their targets.
- Russia claimed its air defenses intercepted 21 Ukrainian drones overnight, primarily over the Bryansk region, with another downed over Crimea.
- Ukrainian forces reported their first successful strike against a North Korean M-1978 Koksan self-propelled howitzer on the eastern front using drones.
- Reports indicate that up to 12,000 North Korean troops are stationed in Russia’s Kursk region, along with military equipment supporting Russian forces.
- Ukrainian forces engaged in 144 clashes with Russian troops on Tuesday, repelling multiple assaults. Russian forces launched two missile strikes, 72 air strikes, 1,024 kamikaze drone attacks, and 4,200 artillery attacks on Ukrainian positions and settlements.
- In the Kharkiv region, Ukrainian forces blocked Russian advances toward Mala Shapkivka and Topoli. Meanwhile, in Kupiansk, Russian forces launched 16 attacks, of which Ukraine claims to have repelled 14.
- Russia reported a 30-40% reduction in oil flows through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium due to a Ukrainian drone strike on a pumping station.
- Former chess world champion and Kremlin critic Garry Kasparov emphasized that Russia’s freedom and the fall of President Vladimir Putin’s regime depend on Ukraine’s victory.
Diplomatic Efforts and US Involvement
- Keith Kellogg, special envoy for Ukraine under former US President Donald Trump, arrived in Kyiv for meetings with Zelenskyy and other officials.
- Russia and the US agreed to establish teams to negotiate a path to end the war after talks in Saudi Arabia, though Ukraine criticized its exclusion from the discussions.
- Zelenskyy condemned the Riyadh talks, calling for fair negotiations involving European nations, including Turkiye.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agreed to appoint high-level teams for conflict resolution efforts and to establish a consultation mechanism to ease tensions in US-Russia relations.
- Trump, following the talks, claimed confidence in his ability to end the war and criticized Europe and Ukraine for their past handling of the conflict.
- Trump hinted at a potential meeting with Putin by the end of the month, though Russian officials said scheduling such a meeting remains uncertain.
- The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, urged the US to avoid falling into Russia’s “traps” aimed at dividing Western unity.
- Polish President Andrzej Duda confirmed that the US reassured Poland of its continued military presence along NATO’s eastern flank.
Military Aid and Defense Spending
- European lawmakers urged the EU to increase defense spending and support for Ukraine, warning against overreliance on the US for security.
- French President Emmanuel Macron announced another upcoming meeting on Ukraine following the Riyadh talks and indicated potential limited deployment of European troops for peacekeeping roles.
- Trump stated that he would not oppose European peacekeeping troop deployments in Ukraine if they were part of a security guarantee.
- Latvia will increase its defense spending to 4% of GDP next year, with plans to raise it further to 5% in subsequent years.
- European defense stocks surged amid increased military spending pressures.
Economic and Diplomatic Measures
- The EU agreed on a new round of sanctions against Russia, including a ban on Russian aluminum imports, set to be formally approved on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
- Zelenskyy postponed a planned visit to Saudi Arabia to avoid legitimizing the Riyadh negotiations between the US and Russia.
- Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered to host future Russia-Ukraine-US peace talks.
- Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov discussed strengthening defense ties with Turkish officials in Ankara.
- China reaffirmed its support for peace talks in Ukraine at the United Nations Security Council.
- Slovakia deported a 59-year-old Ukrainian national accused of involvement in organized crime and intelligence activities.
Sanctions and Economic Impact
- Turkiye’s largest oil refiner, Tupras, ceased purchasing Russian crude oil in response to US sanctions imposed on Russian energy firms and tankers.
- Uncertainty remains over whether Tupras will also halt refined product imports from Russia, which supplied 65% of Turkiye’s total oil imports in 2024.
As the war enters its 1,091st day, the battlefield remains active while diplomatic maneuvering continues behind closed doors. Ukraine remains steadfast in defending its sovereignty, with international allies balancing support efforts amid shifting political dynamics.
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