Russia's strike on Poltava's oil and gas facilities early morning demonstrated Putin's disregard for ceasefire discussions, costing Russia $960 million in retaliatory drone strikes at Engels airbase. The General Staff emphasized Ukraine targets only military, not energy infrastructure.
A controversial US-Ukraine minerals agreement dominated midday coverage, with Ukrainian officials criticizing it as "absurd." Trump reportedly demands return of all US aid with interest, potentially threatening Ukraine's EU accession prospects. Government officials confirmed receiving a working draft, not a final version.
By evening, Zelensky announced an urgent meeting of military chiefs regarding Western troop deployments while revealing expanded access to European intelligence. Reports of Ukrainian operations in Belgorod region emerged alongside German intelligence warnings about Russia preparing for NATO conflict.
A massive drone attack on Dnipro by night killed four people, injured 19, and set hotel-restaurant complexes and homes ablaze, highlighting Russia's continued targeting of civilians.