The morning began with reports of a massive drone attack on Krasnodar, with Russian forces claiming to have intercepted 51 UAVs. By mid-morning, protests in Abkhazia escalated dramatically as demonstrators rammed through parliament gates with trucks, opposing a Russian investment agreement. The situation intensified throughout the day, leading to the president's departure from the capital by evening.
In a significant diplomatic development, Putin and Scholz spoke by phone for the first time in two years, discussing Ukraine. The conversation generated multiple interpretations and responses throughout the day, with Zelensky expressing opposition to the dialogue.
The government announced restrictions on uranium exports to the US and Gazprom halted gas supplies to Austria, marking a shift in energy politics. These moves came as Chinese banks continued expanding payment blockages for Russian businesses, following patterns from previous days.