White House's direct communication with Moscow emerged through Trump's announcement of peace talks with both Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian drones struck Russian oil and gas facilities in Volgograd and Astrakhan regions, with General Staff confirming the attacks.
Three violent attacks on military recruitment offices drew sharp condemnation from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, while UN documented 79 executions of Ukrainian POWs by Russian forces since August. A Moscow explosion killed Sarkisyan, former anti-Maidan organizer who led the "Arbat" battalion.
By evening, Trump proposed exchanging Ukrainian rare earth metals for continued US aid, while Reuters revealed that Biden's administration had delivered only half of promised military assistance by November 2024. The day concluded with Zelenskyy approving reorganization plans for the Armed Forces amid 97 combat engagements, with 39 in Pokrovsk direction.