Three people were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack near Moscow, Russia, according to the region’s governor. The incident occurred early Sunday, and Governor Andrei Vorobyov described it as a large-scale assault targeting areas surrounding the capital. He reported that one woman died when a drone struck a house, while another person was trapped under debris.

Vorobyov added that two men were also killed during the early-morning attack. The information was shared through his Telegram post and cited by AFP. No further details on the extent of the damage or response measures were provided in the report.

The attack marks another escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with drone strikes increasingly reaching deeper into Russian territory, according to the governor’s statement.

Russia has claimed to have intercepted a large-scale drone attack launched by Ukraine across several of its regions. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, more than 550 drones were shot down overnight, with a total of 556 fixed-wing drones reportedly destroyed or neutralized by Russian air defense systems. The ministry confirmed the information in a statement released on social media, which was later reported by AFP from Moscow.

The statement added that the drones were detected over multiple Russian regions and were destroyed in the air before reaching their targets. The report did not specify the exact locations of the interceptions or any resulting damage. The announcement underscores the continuing intensity of drone warfare between Russia and Ukraine, as both sides rely heavily on unmanned aerial systems in ongoing hostilities.

Further details about the scale of the attack or potential casualties were not provided in the ministry’s statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit China soon, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. The announcement, reported by Russian media outlet RT on Thursday, stated that while the exact date of the trip has not yet been determined, all necessary preparations for the visit have already been completed.

Russian news outlets suggested that the high-profile visit could take place as early as next week. Putin last visited Beijing in September 2025, when he attended a major military parade and a top-level summit. The upcoming trip is expected to continue the pattern of close diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Beijing, though no specific agenda or meeting details were disclosed.

The Kremlin’s confirmation signals ongoing coordination between Russia and China, but further information on the timing and objectives of the visit remains pending.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the United States of attempting to establish dominance over the global energy market. In an interview with the Indian edition of Russia’s state broadcaster RT, Lavrov claimed that the Trump administration aims to control key energy supply routes and push Russian energy companies out of international markets.

Lavrov stated that the United States has adopted policy documents explicitly referring to American dominance in the global energy sector. He alleged that companies such as Lukoil and Rosneft are being targeted as part of this strategy to remove Russian influence from the market.

The remarks come at a time when both the United States and Iran have strengthened their positions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s energy resources are transported.

Russia has successfully conducted a test launch of its new-generation intercontinental ballistic missile, Sarmat, which President Vladimir Putin described as the world's most powerful. According to Al Jazeera, the announcement was made after a video aired on Russian state television showing Strategic Missile Forces Commander Sergei Karakaev informing Putin of the successful launch. Putin stated that the missile would be formally inducted into Russia’s armed forces by the end of the year.

Putin claimed that Sarmat’s warhead capacity is four times greater than comparable Western missiles and that it can travel more than 35,000 kilometers due to its sub-orbital flight capability. The missile, known in the West as “Satan 2,” has been in development since 2011 and is designed to replace the Soviet-era Voyevoda system. The report noted that the Sarmat program has faced setbacks, including a major explosion during a 2024 test.

The test comes amid renewed global security concerns following the expiration of the New START arms control treaty between Russia and the United States, leaving both nations free to develop nuclear weapons without formal limits.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the ongoing war with Ukraine is 'nearing its end' and expressed willingness to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a third country once a peace agreement is finalized. He made the remarks on Saturday after the Victory Day parade at Moscow’s Red Square, where he also pledged Russia’s victory in Ukraine despite a scaled-down celebration this year.

Putin’s comments came as Russia and Ukraine agreed to a three-day ceasefire and a prisoner exchange of 1,000 detainees each, following a request from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump described the truce as a possible beginning of the end of the long and deadly conflict. Zelensky responded with a satirical statement allowing Russia to celebrate Victory Day and pausing Ukrainian attacks on Red Square, which the Kremlin dismissed as a 'bad joke.'

The war, ongoing for more than four years, has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and massive destruction across Ukraine, while also damaging Russia’s $3 trillion economy. Currently, about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory remains under Russian control.

By the end of 2025, a total of 352,000 Russian soldiers had been killed in the war in Ukraine, according to figures released on Saturday by Russian media outlets Meduza and Mediazona. The conflict has become Europe’s deadliest since the Second World War.

The report noted that the figure does not include those killed in 2026, nor does it cover foreign fighters or members of militia groups formed in occupied Ukrainian territories who fought on Russia’s side. Earlier, the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that by the end of 2025, about 325,000 Russian and 140,000 Ukrainian soldiers had died in the conflict.

The report also stated that Russia is continuing efforts to maintain troop levels on the battlefield, including recruiting fighters from Africa and other regions and enlisting university students to strengthen its expanding drone forces.

Russia has tightened security ahead of its upcoming Victory Day parade amid growing concerns for President Vladimir Putin’s safety. According to reports from the Financial Times and Russia’s Important Stories, a leaked European intelligence document claims Putin spends significant time in bunkers due to fears of assassination or coup attempts. His movements and communications are heavily restricted, and his inner circle has been reduced.

The reports describe how Putin has built a highly centralized system over 25 years, positioning himself as the ultimate arbiter of Russia’s political and economic elite. This structure leaves the state vulnerable to instability if he were to suddenly disappear. Potential successors such as Alexei Dyumin, Sergei Kiriyenko, or Dmitry Patrushev are mentioned, but none appear capable of resolving the system’s dependence on Putin’s authority.

Analysts cited in the reports suggest that Putin’s sudden death could end his personal rule but not the system he created. Western governments, though familiar with his methods, might face new uncertainties as rival factions within Russia compete for control, potentially reshaping relations with the West.

A series of Ukrainian drone attacks on an oil refinery and terminal in Tuapse, a coastal city on Russia’s Black Sea, has triggered a severe environmental crisis. The refinery, hit four times in two weeks, caught fire again last Friday, releasing toxic smoke that led to ‘black rain’ falling over the area. Around 30 miles of coastline have been contaminated by spilled oil. Environmentalists have described the incident as one of Russia’s worst ecological disasters since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Thick, acrid smoke has blanketed Tuapse’s skies, and residents report oily, poisonous droplets falling from the air. Vladimir Slivyak, head of the environmental group Ecodefense, warned that carcinogenic substances such as benzene are present, posing serious health risks. Dead fish and dolphins have washed ashore, while local anger grows over what residents see as government indifference. President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the attacks but dismissed them as “no major threat.”

Authorities have reportedly restricted internet and Telegram use to control information. The Kyiv School of Economics estimates Russia’s revenue losses at about $2.2 billion, with refinery reconstruction possibly costing $5 billion. Schools in Tuapse remain closed, and residents are advised to stay indoors and avoid tap water.

The Kremlin has significantly increased security measures for Russian President Vladimir Putin amid fears of assassination and coup attempts, according to a European intelligence report obtained by CNN. The report states that heightened protection follows a series of targeted killings of senior military figures and growing concerns about internal plots. Surveillance has been installed in the homes of Putin’s close aides, and staff such as cooks, bodyguards, and photographers are now barred from using public transport. Visitors must undergo double screening, and close associates are restricted to using phones without internet access.

The report links these measures to the December killing of a top general and notes that Putin has reduced his travel, avoiding his Valdai retreat and military site visits in 2026. It also highlights economic strain and public frustration in major Russian cities due to the ongoing war. The document mentions internal Kremlin tensions, including a heated meeting between top officials and expanded powers for the Federal Protection Service.

European intelligence agencies reportedly view these developments as signs of growing mistrust and instability within Russia’s ruling elite.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the Iranian people for their steadfast struggle to defend their independence and sovereignty amid pressure from the United States and Israel. During a high-level meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in St. Petersburg on Monday, Putin promised that Russia would extend all possible cooperation to Tehran and play a leading role in establishing peace in the region.

Putin commended the courage and bravery of the Iranian people and expressed hope that Iran would overcome its current challenges and regain stability soon. He emphasized that Russia would act in ways that protect the interests of both Iran and the broader region, underscoring Moscow’s commitment to regional peace.

The report also noted that Russia has condemned US and Israeli attacks in the Middle East and offered to mediate to ease tensions. Moscow has repeatedly proposed storing Iran’s enriched uranium to reduce regional friction, but the United States has rejected the offer.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a special meeting, according to reports from Russian state media cited by Al Jazeera. During the talks, Putin said Russia would do everything necessary to establish peace as quickly as possible in the interests of Iran and the region’s people. He expressed hope that the Iranian people would draw strength from their courage and desire for independence to overcome current difficulties and achieve peace.

In response, Araghchi thanked Moscow for its support and praised the relationship between Russia and Iran, expressing optimism that bilateral ties would continue to strengthen. He reaffirmed Iran’s determination to continue resisting the United States, saying the Iranian people had proven their ability to withstand American aggression through resilience and bravery.

The meeting underscored the growing alignment between Moscow and Tehran amid regional tensions, with both sides emphasizing mutual support and shared opposition to US influence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Saint Petersburg on Monday, where he pledged that Russia would do everything possible to help ensure peace in the Middle East. During the meeting, Putin expressed hope that the Iranian people would overcome the current difficult period and that peace would be restored in the country.

According to Russian state media, Putin assured Araghchi that Russia would take all actions necessary to protect both Iran’s interests and those of all people in the region, aiming for peace as soon as possible. The meeting underscored Moscow’s stated commitment to regional stability amid ongoing tensions.

The report also noted that Iran is seeking military and diplomatic support from Russia, indicating a deepening of bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will also join the meeting, according to the report published on April 27, 2026. Araghchi’s flight carried the callsign ‘Minab 168,’ named in memory of children killed in a February 28 attack in Minab city.

Sources indicated that the discussions will focus on Iran’s ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, as well as diplomatic efforts to end the hostilities. The meeting is expected to include detailed exchanges on diplomatic progress, possible solutions, and future steps toward de-escalation.

The report also noted that Araghchi has visited several countries within the past 24 hours, signaling an active phase of diplomatic engagement by Iran amid heightened regional tensions.

A senior Russian lawmaker has claimed that the United States was militarily unprepared for a war against Iran and that its belief in achieving quick results through limited military force was misguided. Alexei Pushkov, chairman of the Information Policy Commission of Russia’s Federation Council, told state news agency TASS that Washington wrongly assumed it could secure rapid strategic success through restricted strikes.

Pushkov suggested that the U.S. experience in Venezuela may have influenced this perception. He said former U.S. President Donald Trump believed that precise military operations could pressure foreign governments after observing Venezuela’s limited response to U.S. actions against President Nicolás Maduro. Pushkov added that Trump might have thought a similar approach could work in Iran.

According to Pushkov, Iran had long prepared for potential conflict by moving most of its missile facilities underground and building a large arsenal of missiles and drones. He said Iran had strengthened itself militarily, economically, and existentially, while tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high amid ongoing military and diplomatic frictions.