• US President Donald Trump held a 90-minute telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which he offered American assistance in seeking a way to end the war in Ukraine, according to a senior Kremlin official. Yuri Ushakov said the proposal was made during Saturday’s call, ahead of Trump’s planned attendance at a Nato summit in Turkey next week. “The American president once again confirmed his willingness to work toward a swift cessation of hostilities and to identify solutions to resolve the crisis,” Ushakov stated. He characterized the exchange as “professional and fairly constructive,” adding that Moscow continues to push for “a political and diplomatic settlement that reflects Russia’s core positions.”

US President Donald Trump held a 90-minute telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which he offered American assistance in seeking a way to end the war in Ukraine, according to a senior Kremlin official. Yuri Ushakov said the proposal was made during Saturday’s call, ahead of Trump’s planned attendance at a Nato summit in Turkey next week. “The American president once again confirmed his willingness to work toward a swift cessation of hostilities and to identify solutions to resolve the crisis,” Ushakov stated. He characterized the exchange as “professional and fairly constructive,” adding that Moscow continues to push for “a political and diplomatic settlement that reflects Russia’s core positions.”

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he also held a separate discussion with Trump. Posting on Telegram, he described their exchange as “very positive,” noting that they spoke about developments along the 1,200km frontline. “There is a genuine opportunity to bring this war to an end, and American determination will play a decisive role,” Zelenskyy wrote. He added that both leaders agreed to continue talks during the upcoming Nato summit. However, Ushakov accused Kyiv and its European partners of seeking to prolong and intensify the conflict, pointing to Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian territory, particularly against oil-related infrastructure, which have led to fuel shortages in several regions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he also held a separate discussion with Trump. Posting on Telegram, he described their exchange as “very positive,” noting that they spoke about developments along the 1,200km frontline. “There is a genuine opportunity to bring this war to an end, and American determination will play a decisive role,” Zelenskyy wrote. He added that both leaders agreed to continue talks during the upcoming Nato summit. However, Ushakov accused Kyiv and its European partners of seeking to prolong and intensify the conflict, pointing to Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian territory, particularly against oil-related infrastructure, which have led to fuel shortages in several regions.

• Ukraine rejected Russia’s assertion that its forces had captured the key eastern city of Kostyantynivka, located in the Donetsk region and considered strategically important for Kyiv’s defence. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s army said the city remained under Ukrainian control, while Zelenskyy dismissed Moscow’s claim as “false.” Writing on social media, he remarked: “If Kostyantynivka were truly under Russian control, perhaps Putin would agree to meet me there to pursue a diplomatic path to end this war.” Military spokesperson Andriy Kovalyov acknowledged that the situation was challenging but insisted that Kostyantynivka “remains under the control of the Ukrainian Defence Forces.”

Ukraine rejected Russia’s assertion that its forces had captured the key eastern city of Kostyantynivka, located in the Donetsk region and considered strategically important for Kyiv’s defence. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s army said the city remained under Ukrainian control, while Zelenskyy dismissed Moscow’s claim as “false.” Writing on social media, he remarked: “If Kostyantynivka were truly under Russian control, perhaps Putin would agree to meet me there to pursue a diplomatic path to end this war.” Military spokesperson Andriy Kovalyov acknowledged that the situation was challenging but insisted that Kostyantynivka “remains under the control of the Ukrainian Defence Forces.”

• On Friday, Putin appeared in military attire as he congratulated Russian troops for what Moscow described as the capture of Kostyantynivka, a town that had around 78,000 residents before the war and has been a target of Russian operations for months. Kovalyov admitted that small Russian units had entered parts of the city but stressed that combat was still underway. Russia’s defence ministry, meanwhile, claimed its forces were present throughout the entire town.

On Friday, Putin appeared in military attire as he congratulated Russian troops for what Moscow described as the capture of Kostyantynivka, a town that had around 78,000 residents before the war and has been a target of Russian operations for months. Kovalyov admitted that small Russian units had entered parts of the city but stressed that combat was still underway. Russia’s defence ministry, meanwhile, claimed its forces were present throughout the entire town.

• Russia reported on Saturday that Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in St Petersburg, Putin’s hometown, as well as a port facility near the Finnish border and the historic Peterhof palace and gardens complex, though no damage was recorded at the heritage site. Moscow promised retaliation, stating that its air defences intercepted nearly 500 Ukrainian drones and 10 Flamingo missiles overnight. St Petersburg governor Alexander Beglov said that 72 drones were shot down over the region, with one falling in Peterhof, adding that there were no injuries or destruction. The drone activity followed a Russian strike on Kyiv earlier in the week that left 30 people dead.

Russia reported on Saturday that Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in St Petersburg, Putin’s hometown, as well as a port facility near the Finnish border and the historic Peterhof palace and gardens complex, though no damage was recorded at the heritage site. Moscow promised retaliation, stating that its air defences intercepted nearly 500 Ukrainian drones and 10 Flamingo missiles overnight. St Petersburg governor Alexander Beglov said that 72 drones were shot down over the region, with one falling in Peterhof, adding that there were no injuries or destruction. The drone activity followed a Russian strike on Kyiv earlier in the week that left 30 people dead.

• Zelenskyy further stated that Ukrainian forces had targeted the Kronstadt naval base near St Petersburg. In recent months, Kyiv has stepped up its operations inside Russian territory, reaching areas as distant as the Ural Mountains, framing these strikes as a response to Russia’s prolonged offensive.

Zelenskyy further stated that Ukrainian forces had targeted the Kronstadt naval base near St Petersburg. In recent months, Kyiv has stepped up its operations inside Russian territory, reaching areas as distant as the Ural Mountains, framing these strikes as a response to Russia’s prolonged offensive.

• Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that air defence systems intercepted 62 drones approaching the Russian capital. Authorities said one person was killed in the Bryansk border region and another in Russian-controlled Crimea. Officials in the Belgorod region stated that attacks damaged infrastructure facilities, causing interruptions to electricity and water supplies.

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that air defence systems intercepted 62 drones approaching the Russian capital. Authorities said one person was killed in the Bryansk border region and another in Russian-controlled Crimea. Officials in the Belgorod region stated that attacks damaged infrastructure facilities, causing interruptions to electricity and water supplies.