Russia

NATO forces disrupted a covert Russian undersea operation near Norway's Svalbard earlier this year, two Western officials told Reuters.

Russia's GUGI directorate was rehearsing the use of technology to disable seabed cables while masking attribution. British, Norwegian and U.S. forces confronted the vessels before the exercise was completed.

Ukrainian drones hit the Russian Caspian port of Makhachkala this morning, setting it on fire.

A CIA spokesperson denies the FT report that Director John Ratcliffe is preparing to take a larger role in US efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, potentially reducing the role of envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

A Moldovan government spokesperson:

Zelensky's departure for Norway was delayed Tuesday after authorities closed the country's airspace over a drone alert. Flight restrictions were lifted once a Russian drone came down on Moldovan territory.

Massive fire at Sochi port in Russia after reported Ukrainian drone strikes.

Trump on Russia-Ukraine:

These are two people that are tired of fighting.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov: "Let Ukraine become this buffer. They say Russia needs a buffer zone."

Russia sees Abu Dhabi as its top choice for Ukraine talks, a Putin aide said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz: The attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport was planned in Russia over months and aimed specifically at Germany. Disaster was avoided "only by chance."

Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov:

On the one hand, they say Russia is losing, so Ukraine must be supported in every possible way.

On the other hand, this same Russia, which in their view is losing, is supposedly preparing to attack Europe.

Putin has said this several times: "We are not going to attack anyone."

"But if all this talk means that you are preparing an attack of your own, then I assure you: the war will be completely different and very short."

Palantir CEO Alex Karp on the Russia-Ukraine war: "Without AI systems, Russia would have won. Europe as we know it now, with all its problems, would not exist without these technologies being used actively."

Ukrainian drones hit an oil terminal in Novorossiysk, Russia.

NOW: Romania has issued an "extreme" alert over the risk of objects falling from the airspace, urging residents in affected areas to seek immediate shelter.

A Russian jet-powered drone is flying over Moldova towards the Romanian border.

Contributed by @MoloWarMonitor

Senior Pentagon official: the world should prepare for a prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict. - Reuters

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov:

"Britain said that it would be with Ukraine until the end. Well, since Ukraine's end is not going to be a happy one, I feel sorry for Britain."

Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov on Saudi-Houthi Conflict:

"It's unacceptable to solve the issues via military means."

Zelenskyy: We want to hold a three-way meeting between Ukraine, the US, and Russia this fall.

Kremlin:

Victory in the conflict in Ukraine is very close, and Russia is confident in its success.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that OPEC+ cooperation between the two countries allows them to balance oil supply and demand, adding that Riyadh is interested in further partnership between the two nations.

Zelenskyy: Ukraine was prepared to receive the American delegation by plane, with both Boryspil and Zhulyany airports ready. Russia then launched strikes on the runways of both airports. Following the strikes, Witkoff and Kushner chose to travel by train instead.

Hungary's foreign minister: 10 Russian diplomats are being expelled from the country.

A large-scale Russian aerial assault overnight on Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast left at least 2 dead and 16 wounded. Over 50 sites were damaged, with fires across several areas.

Kremlin spokesperson: Russia prefers peaceful means but must meet its military goals in Ukraine.

The Al-Alamein 2026 international air show opened today in Egypt, with signs bearing President al-Sisi's image already lining the roads to the venue.

Russia is sending its flagship aircraft - the Sukhoi Su-57.

Footage of the Russian attack on Kyiv overnight. Ukraine was hit with 166 drones and dozens of missiles, including strikes on the capital. The barrage ended a three-day pause that had held during the visit of Trump's envoys.