Ukrainian media tracked climbing casualties from Russia's ballistic missile strike on Samar throughout the morning, with death toll rising from three to five and wounded reaching 23. The pattern echoed previous days' coverage of Dnipro strikes, where casualty counts increased as rescue operations continued.
EU leaders formally backed opening Ukraine membership negotiations while announcing €30.6 billion in aid, though Trump's mixed signals on military support dominated Washington coverage. GOP Senator McConnell criticized Trump's aid cuts, calling them counterproductive.
Deputy Prime Minister Chernishov faced corruption charges, with anti-corruption agencies requesting his suspension and 120 million hryvnia bail. The afternoon brought positive military news as Ukrainian forces struck four Russian Su-34 jets at Marinovka airbase, destroying two and damaging two others.
Trump concluded the day by announcing he had made a decision regarding Patriot missiles for Ukraine but declined to specify what that decision was.