The Ukrainian leader’s key backers were conspicuous in their absence from the pomp and posturing in Kiev
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Russian media prioritized coverage of a Ukrainian drone strike on a chemical plant in Smolensk region, with initial morning reports of four deaths escalating to seven by midday across multiple outlets including RT, Lenta.ru, TASS, and Interfax.ru. This border attack narrative competed with Prime Minister Mishustin's economic statements about GDP growth and inflation challenges, while diplomatic coverage focused on Germany removing Russian asset seizure from its agenda and discussions about a potential Putin-Trump-Zelenskyy meeting. The evening saw continued reporting on the Smolensk casualties alongside Kremlin statements about nuclear weapons transfers to Ukraine and President Putin's bioeconomy initiatives.