The day was dominated by the car bomb in Balashikha that killed a driver, reported from early morning by multiple outlets. By afternoon, Telegram channels and Meduza identified the victim as Damir Davydov, head of the Defense Ministry's Main Missile and Artillery Directorate. The killing prompted Moscow-wide searches for explosives under vehicles.
In parallel, EU sanctions dominated the afternoon: the 21st package targeting 90 Russian banks and proposing entry bans for all Russian military personnel since the invasion. The Kremlin rejected European preconditions for Ukraine mediation.
Internationally, Trump confirmed Iran shot down a US Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, vowing revenge, while Iran put its army on full alert. In Dagestan, three explosions on a gas pipeline triggered evacuations and a 15-meter flame.
Earlier, the ICC prosecutor who sought arrest warrants for Putin and Netanyahu was removed, and Armenian opposition demanded a recount after pro-Western Pashinyan's near-majority.