Russia
🇮🇷🇷🇺 Iran and Russia’s foreign ministers express support for Syria amid ongoing rebel attacks, according to Iranian state media.
🇷🇺 A senior Russian diplomat states the possibility of resuming nuclear tests by Moscow remains an open question due to hostile U.S. policies.
🇰🇵 North Korea’s Kim Jong Un tells Russia’s defense minister that Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons stems from U.S. military intervention. He asserts that Russia has the right to defend itself.
🇫🇷 President Macron reaffirms France’s support for Ukraine in a call with President Zelenskiy, condemning Russia’s escalation of attacks against the country.
🇺🇦 President Zelenskiy appoints Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new commander of Ukraine’s land forces amid increasing Russian gains and manpower shortages in Kyiv’s troops.
🇩🇪 Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has established a task force to prevent foreign interference in the federal election. This comes after warnings of increased Russian-sponsored espionage and sabotage.
🇫🇷 France plans to cut military presence in West and Central Africa, risking reduced influence as Russia expands its presence in the region.
🇷🇺 Russian dissident Alexei Gorinov sentenced to three more years in a penal colony after being found guilty of “justifying terrorism” in his latest trial.
🇬🇧 UK’s foreign spy chief accuses Russia of waging a “staggeringly reckless campaign” of sabotage in Europe while increasing nuclear threats to deter support for Ukraine.
🇷🇺 Russia denies accusations of interference in Romania’s presidential election, calling them groundless.
🇷🇺 Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov has arrived in North Korea for an official visit, according to news agencies citing the defence ministry.
🇨🇳🇷🇺 China and Russia conduct ninth joint strategic air patrol over the Sea of Japan. The operation was reported by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
🇺🇦 President Zelenskiy signs into law Ukraine’s first wartime tax hikes as the conflict with Russia enters its 34th month.
🇷🇺 Putin warns that Russia would use all available weapons against Ukraine if Kyiv acquires nuclear arms.
🇫🇷 France has not confirmed whether it would arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin under an ICC warrant, amid pressure regarding its position on a similar warrant for Israel’s prime minister.
🇺🇦 Ukraine is set to host a second global summit aimed at ending Russia’s invasion soon, according to Andriy Yermak, the president’s chief of staff. Local media reports indicate preparations are underway for the event.
🇬🇧 Two men have admitted to being Russian spies in Britain as a trial begins for three Bulgarians linked to the same espionage network.
🇷🇺 President Putin claims the recent Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure was retaliation for Kyiv’s strikes on Russian regions using longer-range Western missiles.
🇸🇾🇷🇺 Syrian and Russian jets bomb rebel-held northwest Syria near the Turkey border to counter a rebel offensive that has captured territory for the first time in years.
🇷🇺 Putin announces Russia is targeting “decision-making centres” in Kyiv as a response to Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian territory using Western weapons.