The Day of the Kerch Ferry Attack

Editors led with a Ukrainian drone strike on the Kerch ferry crossing, killing four and wounding nearly 30, halting ferry services and fuel sales in Crimea. State-aligned outlets emphasized military advances in Krasny Liman, while independent sources highlighted civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. By afternoon, US-Iran talks in Switzerland dominated, with Vance reporting progress, but Iran's delegation left after Trump's threats. The Strait of Hormuz remained a secondary focus, with Iran setting conditions for reopening. Earlier, Putin congratulated medics, and Zelensky's threats to Belarus drew attention. The day saw a shift from the Kerch attack to diplomatic maneuvers, reflecting a dual narrative of battlefield escalation and geopolitical negotiation.