Russian diplomat and spokesperson for Moscow
The IOC has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, enabling athletes to compete internationally as various federations reinstate Russian participation. Ukraine challenges the move at CAS, arguing it violates the Olympic Charter and territorial integrity. Multiple sports have begun readmitting Russian and Belarusian athletes with flags and symbols permitted in some events.
A drone has crashed into a busy Gelendzhik beach on the Russian Black Sea coast, injuring around 40 people. Russian officials say the incident was a deliberate attack by Kyiv, while Kyiv denies civilian targeting. A specialist medical team is at the scene; several victims are in serious condition. The event follows Russian missile strikes on Kyiv and related incidents in Ukraine.
Ukraine has targeted long-range facilities in Russia, including the Progress Center in Samara and an air base in Savasleika, using domestically produced Flamingo missiles. Kyiv says the strikes aim to reduce Russia’s war capacity and bring the conflict closer to Moscow, with reports of fires and damage at multiple sites.
North Korea has fired ballistic missiles toward the eastern sea, prompting an emergency security meeting in Seoul. South Korea and the US have coordinated responses and warned Pyongyang against further launches as tensions rise amid scaled-down Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises.
The UK has formalised support for Ukraine by sharing blueprints for long-range Scalp missiles, a French variant of the Storm Shadow. Kyiv is set to produce components domestically. Russia has warned of retaliation, while UK leaders press ahead with allied security cooperation and sanctions enforcement.
The UK has granted Ukraine access to declassified blueprints for British-made components used in the Scalp missile, the European-produced version of the Storm Shadow. Russia has warned of consequences and highlighted potential threats to UK bases in Europe as Kyiv deepens its defense production.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe has flown to Moscow for undisclosed talks with Russian intelligence chief Sergey Naryshkin. Moscow says President Vladimir Putin was briefed but did not meet Ratcliffe. U.S. and Russian accounts conflict over whether Ratcliffe warned Russia against attacking NATO or discussed restarting U.S.-mediated peace talks for Ukraine. The visit is the first CIA director trip to Moscow since 2021.
Russia has warned Britain that any involvement in Ukraine using British weapons could trigger responses labeled as escalation. Moscow cites recent Ukrainian strikes with Storm Shadow missiles and accuses Britain of fueling the conflict as it deepens military support to Kyiv.
Hungary has ordered 10 Russian diplomats to leave the country, saying they engaged in activities unacceptable under the Vienna Convention. Budapest insists the move does not break diplomatic ties with Russia, while Moscow vows a harsh, painful response as Hungary’s new government shifts away from its predecessor’s pro-Russia stance.