City in Donbas, centre of conflict since 2014
Russia has completed a three-day parliamentary vote that has delivered a record haul of State Duma seats to President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party. The Central Election Commission has reported roughly 58% on the party list and has allocated about 349–355 of 450 seats, with turnout near 57–60% and voting held in occupied Ukrainian regions.
Independent reports that Ukraine’s drone campaign has disrupted Russia’s fuel infrastructure, intensifying shortages and triggering public discontent. Putin insists on continuing the conflict and expanding energy defenses as Moscow confronts a mounting fuel crisis.
Crimea’s power grid has faced a regionwide outage linked to external interference, with authorities citing an enemy attack on energy infrastructure outside Sevastopol. Power is being restored in phases, and casualties were reported in separate attacks as Ukrainian drone strikes target energy and transport assets.
Ukraine has struck oil depots and refineries across Russia, triggering a fuel shortage and prompting rationing in many regions. Officials report drone and missile activity, while Ukraine’s leadership signals intensified operations and a push to acquire Patriot air-defense capabilities with Western support.
The International Olympic Committee has provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, restoring Russian athletes' access to many international qualifiers ahead of Los Angeles 2028 while leaving decisions on flags, anthems and full national symbols unresolved. Several international federations, including World Athletics, are maintaining bans and legal challenges are being signalled.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has carried out a surprise cabinet reshuffle that has removed defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, nominated Serhii Koretskyi as prime minister and named SBU head Yevhenii Khmara as acting defence minister. The moves have provoked mass protests in Kyiv and other cities, prompted at least one senior military resignation and raised questions about unity in Kyiv’s war effort.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi as Ukraine’s commander-in-chief after mass protests over the dismissal of reform-minded ex-defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Drapatyi, 43, is being welcomed as a moderniser; Fedorov has refused offered alternatives and his supporters are continuing street demonstrations while Russia keeps striking Ukrainian cities.
Zelensky has appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi amid protests and calls for reform. Supporters describe Drapatyi as a reform-minded leader with frontline experience who can modernise the military and empower field commanders. Critics note his track record in drone warfare and accountability.
Russia's Supreme Court has revoked the registration of Yabloko's federal list for September's State Duma elections after upholding a suit by the nationalist Rodina party that accused it of receiving foreign funding, copyright violations and promoting extremism. Supporters gathered outside the court and dozens were detained; party leaders have vowed legal appeals.
Reliquary fragments of Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy’s right hand have been dispatched by the Russian Orthodox Church to front-line units in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, signaling a moral boost for Moscow’s forces amid the ongoing war. The relic’s journey follows the uncovering of Donskoy’s sarcophagus during Kremlin restoration work and comes as religious authorities align with state narratives of victory.
Ukraine and Western officials condemn Russia-held elections in occupied territories as illegal while Putin underscores the vote’s purpose to showcase public backing for the war; observers report coercion and security-driven voting extensions.
Ukraine has faced intensified Russian drone and missile strikes over the past week, with civilian casualties reported and authorities warning of ongoing attacks. Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia and Odesa regions are affected as Moscow targets infrastructure and residential areas. The UN notes rising civilian toll while talks to end the war have stalled.