Russian press

The BBC's Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg reports that Russia is facing growing economic problems, yet the war in Ukraine continues with no sign of a slowdown. The analysis highlights the strain of sanctions, inflation and wartime spending on ordinary Russians, while the Kremlin presses on with its military campaign. Observers are asking how long the economy can sustain the conflict.

Ukrainian forces have retaken territory and captured Russian prisoners of war during a push along the frontline, according to Politico reporting. The advance suggests Kyiv's troops are pressing offensive operations despite a difficult battlefield situation, though no specific locations or scale of the gains have been detailed in the available report.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoken out following a wave of overnight attacks attributed to Russian forces, addressing his remarks directly to US President Donald Trump and the European Union. He is pressing Western partners for a stronger response and continued support for Ukraine's air defences as strikes on Ukrainian territory continue.

Washington is pressing for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, but Moscow shows little interest, continuing to bet on gains on the battlefield. As US diplomacy intensifies, Russian officials and analysts argue their military strategy is working and see no reason to compromise, leaving the prospects for peace talks uncertain.

Commentary from Kyiv Post is examining what drives Vladimir Putin's strategic choices as the war continues: defending Russian oil refineries increasingly targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes, or pressing attacks on Ukraine. The debate highlights growing pressure on Russia's energy infrastructure and questions over how Moscow will prioritise its resources and retaliation.

Donald Trump refused to say whether Ukraine should be allowed to manufacture Patriot missiles to defend itself against Russian attacks, sidestepping the question when pressed by reporters. His non-answer comes as Kyiv continues seeking stronger air defenses and as Washington weighs how far to support Ukraine's weapons production and military needs.

Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said the country needs expanded Starlink and Starshield capabilities from SpaceX to enable strikes on Russian missile systems inside Russia. His comments underline Kyiv's push for longer-range strike ability and deeper reliance on Western satellite technology as the war continues.

The Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation briefed the press at UN Headquarters in New York. The appearance came as part of the minister's engagements at the United Nations, where Russia's positions on ongoing international disputes remain under close scrutiny. Journalists and diplomats are following the remarks for signals on Moscow's stance ahead of Security Council discussions.

A report circulating on social media claims Ukraine has destroyed a record 76 Russian air-defense systems in a single month, according to a losses analyst cited by Euromaidan Press. The analyst argues Russia will never be able to restore these systems. Posts sharing the story appear to echo the claim, but engagement details are limited, so the broader reaction and any rebuttals are not clear from the available evidence.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky says Ukraine has, and is already implementing, a number of non-standard solutions to protect the infrastructure providing the country with internet and communications from Russian attacks. His remarks come as Russian strikes on energy and telecoms infrastructure continue to disrupt connectivity across Ukraine.

EU officials are discussing adding Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU, to the bloc's list of terrorist organizations. The initiative follows a series of sabotage acts and other hybrid attacks across Europe, in which authorities in several countries suspect Russian intelligence services of involvement. The move would mark a significant escalation in the EU's response to Moscow's covert operations on European soil, and it is drawing wide attention as governments weigh the diplomatic and legal implications.

Housing has become a leading topic of public discussion in Russia, ranking high in search interest with engagement above 2,000. The keyword covers concerns about buying, renting and availability of accommodation, long-standing issues for Russian households amid high mortgage rates and rising prices. No specific event is attached to the surge; the discussion appears broad rather than tied to a single announcement.

A group of US senators is pressing the Trump administration to extend Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainians living in the United States. The designation shields recipients from deportation and allows work permits, and the senators argue that conditions in Ukraine, still under Russian attack, make returning unsafe. The push comes as the status's expiration approaches, drawing attention from immigrant communities and advocates.

Denmark has raised its threat assessment for destructive cyberattacks, citing escalating Russian hybrid warfare against European nations. The updated warning reflects concern that Russia is using cyber operations to pressure countries supporting Ukraine, with critical infrastructure seen as a primary target. Security researchers say the risk extends across Europe as tensions continue to rise.

Ukraine has deployed ground robots and other unmanned systems in an offensive that analysts say has rolled back roughly a year of Russian territorial gains. The Atlantic Council highlights the operation as evidence that innovative, low-cost robotic warfare is reshaping the battlefield, allowing Ukrainian forces to press forward while reducing troop exposure to drones and artillery.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to freeze the fighting in Ukraine and move toward a diplomatic resolution. The appeal highlights growing pressure from Central Asian leaders for a ceasefire, though further details of the call and Moscow's response remain limited.

Ukraine's military reported 198 combat clashes along the frontline over the past day, with the heaviest fighting concentrated on the Kostiantynivka axis in the Donetsk region. Russian forces continue to press assaults across multiple sectors as the war of attrition in eastern Ukraine grinds on, with Kostiantynivka emerging as a key focal point of Moscow's offensive efforts.

Ukraine has taken delivery of a new package of NASAMS air defence missiles, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. NASAMS, jointly developed by Norway's Kongsberg and the US Raytheon, has been a key part of Ukraine's defence against Russian missile and drone strikes. The announcement underscores continued Western military support as Kyiv presses partners for sustained ammunition and air defence supplies.

Ukraine is pressing Western partners to expand its small F-16 fleet and to develop jet-powered drone technology capable of intercepting Russian attack drones and missiles. Kyiv has few fighters and faces near-nightly aerial assaults, so faster interceptors and more aircraft are seen as critical to strengthening its air defenses, with aviation media reporting on the request.

Reporters Without Borders brought its case to Brussels, urging European Union institutions to support exiled journalism as a way to counter Russian propaganda. The press freedom group argues that independent media forced out of Russia play a key role in providing accurate information to Russian-speaking audiences. The initiative calls for EU backing of these outlets as part of Europe's broader response to disinformation.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with Lithuanian Prime Minister to discuss strengthening the alliance's eastern flank, countering drone threats and sustaining support for Ukraine. Lithuania, bordering Russia and Belarus, has pressed for stronger allied presence on its territory. The talks come amid ongoing concerns about airspace violations and the need for continued military backing of Kyiv.

The German chancellor said Ukraine's most pressing vulnerability is air defence, adding that Berlin is working to find solutions to the gap. The remark underlines ongoing debate in Europe over how to bolster Ukraine's protection against Russian air attacks, with discussions focused on supplying or financing additional air defence systems.