Russia deployed AI-controlled drones with enhanced navigation systems, marking a technological escalation in its aerial campaign. Ukrainian media tracked this development through multiple headline revisions during early morning hours, emphasizing the shift from terrain-matching to direct radio control capabilities.
By midday, Ukraine secured another prisoner exchange, returning severely ill defenders from Russian captivity. Coverage focused on one returnee who lost 50 kilograms and 7 centimeters in height during imprisonment, continuing the pattern of exchanges established under the Istanbul agreements.
Zelensky appointed Hennadiy Shapovalov as new Ground Forces commander in the evening, while stating the war should "desirably" end during Trump's term. Reports suggested Trump left the G7 summit early due to tensions with Macron and Zelensky over Ukraine policy.
The frontline saw 133 combat actions, with concentrated fighting in Pokrovsk sector. Ukrainian officials noted that despite two years of conflict, Russian forces captured only 1% of Ukrainian territory.