Overview
- Russia’s Defense Ministry said units in the Center, East and West sectors improved positions, reporting Ukrainian losses of up to 440, over 300 and up to 200 personnel respectively, with additional armor and artillery destroyed.
- The ministry reported the North grouping is pushing deeper into Ukrainian defenses to create a security belt in Sumy and Kharkiv regions, while Russian security sources told RIA Novosti that Ukrainian troops are abandoning positions in Kharkiv and leaving mines.
- Belgorod region’s governor said nearly 70 Ukrainian drones targeted 37 localities in a day, leaving two civilians dead and one injured and damaging homes, infrastructure and vehicles.
- Rostov region authorities reported a man was killed and four people, including a four‑year‑old child, were injured in an overnight drone raid on Rostov‑on‑Don, as air defenses downed 25 UAVs over the region.
- Kursk region recorded 49 artillery strikes on border districts in 24 hours, with 44 Ukrainian drones shot down and minor damage to homes but no casualties, according to the governor’s update.