Moscow

Russian forces are urgently redeploying thousands of troops toward the Lyman frontline in eastern Ukraine, as Ukraine's 3rd Corps continues advancing in the area. War monitoring reports describe a degree of panic within the Russian command over the situation there, with Moscow scrambling reinforcements to slow Ukrainian gains around the contested frontline town.

Ukraine has carried out what is being described as its largest attack on Moscow, marking a significant escalation in the more than three-year war with Russia. Military experts are weighing in on the scale of the strike, the systems likely used, and what it signals about Ukraine's growing ability to strike deep inside Russian territory, as attention turns to how Moscow will respond.

Ukraine has fired hundreds of drones at Moscow in what is described as the largest attack on the Russian capital since the full-scale war began. The strike disrupted air traffic and prompted airport closures as air defences were activated across the region. The scale of the assault marks a significant escalation in long-range strikes on Russian territory.

Attention is focused on the real scale of Russian military fatalities in the war in Ukraine, with official Kremlin figures widely believed to understate the losses. Independent counts, including media investigations and Western estimates, suggest the death toll is far higher than Moscow acknowledges, prompting fresh debate about the human cost of the conflict and how the numbers are being tallied.

Russia's economy is showing mounting problems, from high inflation and interest rates to a weakening ruble, yet the Kremlin shows no sign of winding down its war in Ukraine. Reporting from Moscow highlights the tension between a strained household economy and continued military spending. Observers are asking how long ordinary Russians will absorb the costs before the pressure becomes politically significant for the Kremlin.

Germany's foreign minister met with her Russian counterpart in a rare face-to-face encounter, urging Moscow to step back from what she called a dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine. The meeting stands out given how few high-level contacts between Berlin and Moscow have taken place since Russia's full-scale invasion, and it signals continued diplomatic channels despite deep tensions.

Russia says its forces have taken control of three more settlements in Ukraine, according to news reports. Ukraine has not confirmed the claims, and frontline statements from both sides frequently differ. The announcement comes as fighting continues along the eastern front, where Moscow has been pressing incremental territorial gains despite heavy losses.

Moscow was struck by a wave of drone attacks that reports describe as the largest ever Ukrainian onslaught on the Russian capital. Details on casualties and damage remain limited, but the scale of the strike has drawn wide attention, with observers calling it a significant escalation in Ukraine's long-range campaign against targets inside Russia.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has questioned Russia's status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, arguing that Moscow took over the Soviet Union's seat in 1991 without a vote. He contrasted this with China, where the UN formally decided that the People's Republic of China would represent the country. His comments fuel ongoing debate about whether Russia's seat is legitimate.

Ukraine's foreign minister has declared that Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire 'right now', according to DW. The statement underscores Kyiv's position amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia. It signals openness to an immediate halt in fighting, keeping pressure on Moscow and international mediators as discussions about peace negotiations continue.

Ukraine carried out strikes targeting Moscow on the first day of Russia's presidential election, in which Vladimir Putin was expected to secure another term. The attack marked a symbolic escalation, hitting the Russian capital at a moment meant to showcase Putin's grip on power. Observers say the timing underscores Ukraine's ability to strike deep into Russia and challenge the narrative of Russian invincibility.

Russia has begun rationing fuel following a massive Ukrainian drone strike that reportedly damaged key energy infrastructure. Reports say Ukraine's drone technology has outmatched Russia's jet-powered drones, hitting refineries and supply facilities. The shortages are forcing regional authorities to limit fuel distribution, a significant blow to Moscow as the war grinds on and its oil-export and domestic supply chains come under sustained attack.

Germany and Russia are holding their first direct talks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to DW. The reported meeting has prompted questions about why the two governments are re-establishing contact now, with observers weighing what it could mean for diplomacy over the war, sanctions policy, and Europe's broader posture toward Moscow as the conflict continues.

Ukraine carried out a record-scale attack on Moscow, leaving parts of the Russian capital ablaze on the day Russians went to the polls. The strike, described as the largest of its kind, is drawing wide attention as a bold escalation in the war and a pointed message timed to Russia's election day.

Moscow has come under a large-scale Ukrainian attack, with reports of air defences engaging incoming drones and missiles over the Russian capital. The strike is one of the biggest on Moscow since the full-scale war began and is drawing widespread attention as the conflict continues to escalate, with casualties and damage still being assessed.

Ukraine has reportedly carried out its largest drone attack to date on Moscow, with claims that a major oil refinery was hit and put out of operation. The reports are circulating widely among audiences following the Ukraine war, where daily frontline updates are drawing large attention. Details about casualties, damage assessments, and the refinery's identity have not been independently confirmed.

Despite only marginal battlefield gains in Ukraine in 2026, Russia has continued updating its official maps and territorial claims, producing a gap of more than 5,000 square kilometres between what it asserts and what it actually controls. Analysts are sharing threads contrasting claimed territory with the front line, arguing the divergence shows Moscow is inflating its cartographic claims for domestic political purposes.

Russia has accused European governments of obstructing peace negotiations over Ukraine, while Donald Trump urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "settle" with Vladimir Putin. The statements highlight growing pressure on Kyiv to reach a deal and deepen tensions between Washington, Moscow and European allies over how to end the war.

EU member states are discussing collective, Nato-style responses to Russian hybrid attacks, such as sabotage, disinformation and cyber operations targeting European infrastructure. The proposal would allow countries to invoke joint backing when a member faces such aggression, mirroring the alliance's mutual-defence principle and deepening EU coordination on security against Moscow.

Germany's foreign minister met with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, saying the talks were driven by security concerns linked to Russia. The meeting signals continued diplomatic contact between Berlin and Moscow despite broader tensions, and Reuters reported the minister framed the engagement as a response to the security challenges Russia poses.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats have met at the United Nations in their first talks since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The meeting marks a rare high-level diplomatic contact between Moscow and a leading European power since February 2022, and comes as attention focuses on whether dialogue over the war in Ukraine might be resuming.