Sergei Aksyonov, Russia’s Crimean head since 2014, is a Kremlin loyalist overseeing the peninsula amid ongoing conflict and sanctions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the war in Ukraine "is coming to an end" and has offered to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a third country once a final peace treaty is agreed. The comments came as Russia and Ukraine have observed a short ceasefire and exchanged prisoners around Victory Day, while the Moscow parade has been scaled down over security concerns.
A wave of attacks across Ukraine and Russia continues as Kyiv demands direct ceasefire talks while both sides report strikes on civilian infrastructure. Zelenskyy urges open dialogue as both sides confront ongoing drone and missile activity.
Putin has acknowledged economic damage from Ukrainian strikes but says Russia is recovering and that Kyiv's actions are meant to sow confusion. Ukraine claims to have targeted energy hubs and Crimea, while Moscow promises stronger air defences and a tougher response.
Ukraine has intensified drone and mid-range strikes on Crimea and nearby Russian oil facilities, hitting an oil depot in Kerch and an oil transport site in Krasnodar. Russian-appointed officials have suspended civilian fuel sales across Crimea, reported casualties and imposed travel and event restrictions as power outages and transport disruptions leave tourists and residents stranded.
Crimea has imposed a night curfew banning motorcycles, mopeds and similar vehicles from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am, citing risk to defence systems and public safety amid continuing Ukrainian drone attacks. Authorities say the measure targets night travel to protect military facilities and stabilize fuel supplies.
Multiple drone strikes have hit Crimea and several Russian regions, causing fatalities and outages. Ukraine has intensified attacks on energy infrastructure, prompting power cuts and emergency responses across the peninsula and nearby areas.