Moscow

In 2026, Russian forces made only marginal territorial gains in Ukraine, yet Moscow's official maps and annexation claims continued to be updated as if large areas were under its control. According to the analysis, the gap between reality on the ground and Russia's claimed territory exceeds 5,000 square kilometres. Observers are highlighting this discrepancy as evidence of the widening distance between Kremlin claims and battlefield facts.

Ukraine has carried out its largest attack to date on Moscow, according to CNN coverage that includes analysis from a military expert. The strike marks a significant escalation in the ongoing war, targeting the Russian capital directly. Commentators are assessing what the operation reveals about Ukraine's growing long-range strike capabilities and how Russia may respond.

Ukraine has launched what is described as the largest drone attack on Moscow since the start of the war, firing hundreds of drones at the Russian capital. The strike forced temporary airport closures and prompted air defences across the region to respond. The scale marks a significant escalation in Ukraine's long-range strike campaign against targets deep inside Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called for the creation of a new Eurasian 'security architecture', urging a regional framework to replace existing arrangements. The remarks, made in a UN context, come as debate continues over the future of European and Asian security order amid the war in Ukraine. The proposal signals Moscow's push to reshape regional alliances and reduce Western influence.

Ukraine has carried out what reports describe as its largest drone attack on Moscow, striking on the day of Russian elections. DW News reports fires burning across the Russian capital, calling it a record attack. The strike coincides with voting in Russia's presidential election, in which Vladimir Putin is widely expected to win another term. The timing has drawn wide attention, highlighting Ukraine's ability to hit targets deep inside Russia and casting a shadow over the vote.

Russian state media have announced a new "special military operation". RIA Novosti published a piece by author Alexander Nosovich titled "Russia faces another special military operation. It will be very short.", circulating through Kremlin-aligned propagandists. The claim of a short operation is drawing attention and scepticism, echoing the initial framing of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow also predicted would be brief.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany have met for the first time since 2022, holding talks on the margins of the United Nations. The meeting marks a rare direct diplomatic contact between Moscow and a major European power since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and is being closely watched for signs of any shift in relations.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in the first meeting of the two countries' top diplomats since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Defending the talks, Wadephul said 'you have to negotiate with opponents', arguing that diplomacy must remain open even with adversaries. The meeting has drawn attention as a notable diplomatic signal between Berlin and Moscow.

Ukraine carried out drone strikes targeting Moscow on the first day of Russia's presidential election, in which Vladimir Putin is seeking another term. The attacks on the Russian capital on election day are being widely discussed as a symbolic show of force, undermining the Kremlin's narrative of normalcy and control while voting takes place during the ongoing war.

Russia is accusing European governments of obstructing negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, while Donald Trump has publicly urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy to 'settle' with Vladimir Putin. The remarks heap pressure on Kyiv and its European allies at a time when Washington is pushing for a negotiated end to the conflict, deepening tensions over who is responsible for the lack of progress in peace efforts.

The German and Russian foreign ministers held a rare meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Direct talks between Berlin and Moscow have been extremely limited since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, so any contact between the two governments draws significant attention. Details of what was discussed have not been widely reported.

England are set to play Spain in their opening Nations League fixture, with kick-off at 21:45. The match headlines a busy weekend of sport, alongside Zenit's game in China and the Moscow Marathon, and is drawing attention from fans across several countries as both sides begin their campaigns in the new UEFA competition.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats met at the United Nations for their first direct talks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The meeting marks a rare diplomatic contact between Moscow and a major European power, drawing attention amid ongoing debate over whether dialogue with Russia should resume.

Reports say Moscow came under a large-scale Ukrainian attack, according to a morning news bulletin from TVP World. Details on casualties or damage were not provided in the headline. The strike marks another escalation in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, with long-range attacks on the Russian capital drawing widespread international attention.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized the West's actions in Ukraine, repeating Moscow's long-standing accusations that Western governments are fueling the conflict through military and political support for Kyiv. The remarks come as fighting continues and as Western allies debate the scale and duration of their assistance to Ukraine. Lavrov's comments are in line with the Kremlin's public position, but they draw attention amid ongoing diplomatic tensions.

Germany and Russia have held their first direct government talks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The contact marks a notable shift after years in which Berlin cut off most diplomatic engagement with Moscow. The talks are being closely watched for signs of whether Europe's largest economies might open channels to the Kremlin amid the ongoing war.

Reports describe the largest drone attack yet on Moscow, with a major oil refinery reportedly struck and taken offline. The strike would mark a significant escalation in Ukraine's long-range campaign against Russian energy infrastructure, which has repeatedly targeted refineries to disrupt fuel supplies and export revenue. Commenters are following the scale of the operation closely and debating its impact on Russia's war effort.

The foreign ministers of Germany and Russia have met on the sidelines of the United Nations, in what is being described as a rare direct encounter between the two governments. Talks between Berlin and Moscow have been almost non-existent since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, making any high-level contact notable as diplomatic channels remain sharply strained.

Russia has started rationing fuel after a large-scale Ukrainian drone strike hit its energy infrastructure, with reports saying Ukrainian technology is outperforming Russia's jet-powered drones. The shortages mark a significant blow to Moscow's logistics and its war effort, as Kyiv's long-range strikes continue to disrupt refineries and supply lines across Russian territory.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany met in New York on Saturday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, in the first meeting at that level since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The talks mark a rare diplomatic contact between Moscow and a major European power and are drawing attention for what they may signal about the state of relations between Russia and the West.

Russia has publicly accused European governments of working to derail negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The accusation, reported by international outlets including France 24, escalates tensions between Moscow and European capitals just as diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement come under renewed scrutiny. European leaders have so far not responded directly to the claim, and no evidence was offered for the assertion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on US President Donald Trump to enact new sanctions against Russia following deadly attacks across Ukraine. The appeal came after a wave of Russian strikes reportedly caused casualties in multiple Ukrainian cities. Zelenskyy is pressing Washington to increase economic pressure on Moscow as the war continues.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats met at the United Nations in their first direct talks since 2022. The meeting marks a significant thaw in contacts between Moscow and Berlin, which have been largely frozen since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It signals that diplomatic channels between the two countries are reopening despite ongoing tensions.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned Western countries against rewarding what she described as a Russian intimidation campaign. The Estonian former prime minister argued that yielding to Moscow's pressure would only encourage further aggression. She urged Europe and its allies to stay united and respond firmly rather than accommodate Kremlin threats.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, the first meeting of the two countries' top diplomats since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Wadephul explained on German television, during the UN General Assembly, how the encounter with Lavrov came about. The talks mark a notable diplomatic contact between Berlin and Moscow at a time when the war in Ukraine continues.

Belarus has announced it is ready to facilitate talks aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine, according to a report by the Anadolu Agency. The statement positions Minsk, a close ally of Moscow, as a potential mediator in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. It remains unclear whether Kyiv or Western governments would accept Belarus in any such facilitative role.