Russian forces claim gains on multiple Ukrainian fronts and heavy casualties

The Russian defence ministry announced that its troops had taken control of eight settlements—Palamarivka, Kovalivka, Velikomihajlivka, Dopropillja, Olekszijevo-Druzskivka, Pervomajszke, Szerhijivka and Malokaterinivka—across multiple front lines. It reported that more than 1,180 Ukrainian soldiers were either killed or seriously injured in recent fighting. The ministry said it had destroyed Ukrainian transport infrastructure, fuel and ammunition depots, drone assembly sites, ten armored vehicles, two Grad launchers, seven Flamingo UAVs and 1,256 drone units.

Russian officials also described a massive drone strike involving 145 drones that left power and water supplies largely intact, with repairs underway in affected areas. In the Belgorod region, a civilian was killed and two were wounded, while an unnamed infrastructure object caught fire in the village of Rakitnoje. Business representatives called for new air-defence funding, suggesting tax incentives to protect industrial sites.