At least three people were killed and seven others injured in a Ukrainian attack on Russian-controlled Crimea, according to Moscow-backed local authorities on Thursday. The strike occurred in Simferopol, where several non-residential buildings were hit. Emergency services were deployed to the site, said Sergei Aksyonov, the Moscow-appointed head of Crimea’s administration.

The attack came a day after Ukraine targeted fuel and military facilities in Russia’s St. Petersburg, where the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) was underway. The event was expected to host around 20,000 delegates from 130 countries, with Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled to deliver a keynote speech on Friday.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned of a “systematic” response to Ukraine’s strikes. Black smoke was seen over St. Petersburg following Wednesday’s attack, visible even from the forum venue.

At least seven people were killed and eleven others injured when a Ukrainian drone struck a passenger bus traveling from Moscow to Simferopol in Russian-controlled Crimea, according to Russian authorities. The attack occurred near Yenakiieve in the Donetsk region, said Denis Pushilin, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, in a message posted on Telegram. He confirmed that the victims were civilians and that the injured were receiving medical treatment.

The report noted that Ukraine had not immediately commented on the incident. The attack comes amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, during which drone strikes on border areas and Russian-controlled territories have increased significantly in recent months. Russian authorities have launched an investigation into the strike and expressed condolences to the victims’ families.

The escalation of drone attacks highlights the continuing volatility along the Russia-Ukraine conflict zones, with civilian casualties adding to regional tensions.

Russia has announced a temporary ban on jet fuel exports starting Monday to stabilize its domestic energy supply. According to a government statement cited by Turkish media outlet Yeni Safak, the restriction will remain in effect until November 30. The ban also applies to jet fuel purchased through commodity exchanges, though exceptions include shipments already cleared through customs and supplies under intergovernmental agreements.

Officials stated that the primary goal of the measure is to ensure stability in the domestic fuel market. Earlier in April, Russia had taken a similar step by restricting petrol exports until July 31 to manage seasonal demand and price pressures driven by global market conditions.

The government emphasized that it continues to work toward maintaining a steady and reliable energy supply within the country.

Russia has announced the discovery of a vaccine against the Ebola virus, according to its Health Minister Mikhail Murashko. The announcement comes amid growing international concern over Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda. The minister stated that the vaccine could protect against the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment currently exists.

While the Russian claim has raised global hopes, health experts have urged caution. They emphasized that clinical trial data, peer-reviewed publications, and regulatory reviews are essential before the vaccine can be considered safe and effective for widespread use. The Bundibugyo strain is one of the lesser-known but highly dangerous types of the Ebola virus.

According to reports from the World Health Organization and Reuters, there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment specifically designed for the Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain.

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.