The day was dominated by Putin's SPIEF press conference, where he disclosed a 'big military secret' about the Oreshnik strike on Ukraine, claiming it was not combat use. State-aligned outlets led with this revelation and his assertion that a deal and control over Donbas are not mutually exclusive. Independent media focused on Zelensky's open letter proposing a ceasefire and meeting, and Putin's response to questions about his declining ratings and the war's toll. Earlier, editors tracked Ukrainian drone attacks in Crimea, with casualties rising, and the forum's economic messaging. By evening, the narrative centered on Putin's diplomatic positioning and the Oreshnik mystery, overshadowing other stories.