Russia is reinforcing Moscow's defenses ahead of upcoming holidays, covering Red Square with anti-drone nets and deploying additional air defense systems from other regions, increasing vulnerability elsewhere. Ukrainian forces are systematically targeting Russian military and fuel infrastructure, most notably in Primorsk port and the Black Sea.
The Russian leadership claims to seek peace, yet military actions continue, including ballistic missile strikes on Mykolaiv. According to the US Institute for the Study of War, Russian troops are losing territory and are in retreat. Some Russian state TV commentators now admit to the challenging situation.
Iran set out conditions for ending the conflict with the United States and unblocking the Strait of Hormuz, while Trump stated he could resume strikes on Iran, and warned European partners about arms shipment delays and potentially withdrawing more troops from Germany.
Germany and France are experiencing political turbulence with falling approval ratings for their governments, posing risks to European unity in supporting Ukraine. The report stresses the importance of continued allied support for Ukraine and readiness for potential geopolitical shifts.
