Russian media extensively covered the assassination of Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the General Staff's Main Operational Directorate, killed by a car bomb in Balashikha near Moscow. The Investigative Committee opened a murder case.
The day's central diplomatic event was Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff's three-hour meeting with Putin in the Kremlin, where they discussed the possibility of direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations. Kremlin aide Ushakov described the talks as "constructive" and bringing Russian and American positions "closer."
Following the meeting, Trump urged Ukraine to "immediately sign" an agreement with the US regarding rare earth resources, while describing the meeting as "good." Russian media cited Reuters reporting that Trump's peace plan includes returning Kharkiv region to Ukraine while allowing Russia to retain Crimea, which Trump explicitly stated would "stay with Russia."
Defense Minister Belousov inspected Russian forces in Kursk region, praising their combat performance.