Russian media coverage centered on Putin's annual press conference and Q&A session, where he notably challenged Western air defenses to intercept Russia's new Oreshnik missile system in Kiev. The session, lasting 4.5 hours, followed recent developments including General Kirillov's assassination and drone attacks on Russian oil facilities.
During the broadcast, Ukrainian forces struck the Kamensky facility in Rostov region using ATACMS missiles, demonstrating ongoing escalation patterns. Putin addressed multiple crisis points, including admitting the Ukraine operation should have started earlier, and ruling out gas transit extension through Ukraine.
Evening coverage revealed the resignation of FSB's military counterintelligence chief, while FSB and Uzbek security services continued investigating Kirillov's assassination. Russian mobile operators notably slowed access to YouTube during the conference, suggesting information control measures.