Russian media extensively covered the expulsion of two British diplomats accused of espionage, with multiple agencies reporting the FSB's discovery. This diplomatic tension occurred as reports indicated potential US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, which Moscow officially denied while simultaneously suggesting restored relations with the US.
Military developments dominated reporting throughout the day, with claims that Ukrainian forces lost nearly a third of previously occupied Kursk territory. Russian sources reported innovative tactics like "Operation Pipe," utilizing an inactive gas pipeline for troop movements into Sudzha. Official sources claimed 66,000 total Ukrainian casualties in Kursk region.
By afternoon, Trump's special envoy claimed Zelensky had apologized for previous White House confrontations. Evening reports focused on Ukrainian strikes on a shopping center in Kursk region, with the death toll rising to four, mirroring similar reports of civilian casualties in Kherson region.