The Japanese Foreign Ministry has issued a strong protest following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup Island in the southern Kuril Islands group.
Putin made his first visit to the Kuril Islands, including Iturup, after which Japan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s ambassador and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also voiced objections to the trip. Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, affirmed that the Kuril Islands have always been and remain Russian territory. Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolai Nozdrev stated that the southern Kuril Islands constitute an integral part of Russia.
Meanwhile, Russian forces continue their offensive operations in Ukraine. In the past 24 hours, they have liberated Petrovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and targeted Ukrainian fuel, energy, and transportation infrastructure critical to military operations. Air defense systems intercepted 1,150 Ukrainian drones, three HIMARS rocket launcher shells, and five guided aerial bombs. Additionally, Russian forces struck the Naval Forces command post in Reni and eliminated a Ukrainian patrol boat in Ochakov, Mykolaiv region.
The Central Election Commission of Russia’s chairperson, Ella Pamfilova, clarified that voting via Telegram, Maks, and similar platforms does not constitute electronic voting and emphasized that ballots are not transmitted through correspondence. She noted 1,600 participants and veterans of the special military operations have been nominated for elections across various levels, with approximately 1,500 represented by political parties and 141 self-nominated.
Ukrainian forces have again targeted civilian infrastructure in Russia, causing significant casualties. In Zaporozhye region, an emergency services worker was injured after being struck by a drone while attempting to extinguish a fire. In Luhansk People’s Republic, a fire tanker truck was attacked by enemy drones near Lisichansk; firefighters managed to evacuate without injury, though 11 people, including a teenager, were reported injured in the region within 24 hours. In Sevastopol, five individuals—four emergency responders and one security guard—died following Ukrainian air strikes during nighttime operations.
A fire erupted at Salavat industrial zone in Bashkortostan after an unmanned aerial vehicle struck the area; the Wildberries facility was later reported to have been hit by an airstrike. The regional head, Radiy Khabirov, confirmed two injuries from drone attacks attributed to Ukrainian forces.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief and UN Secretary General candidate Rafael Grossi stated that the organization is experiencing declining influence and requires reform. He also expressed disappointment with the UN’s progress in social affairs and climate change efforts. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov noted the UN has entered a protracted crisis, with Moscow closely monitoring proposals from all candidates for UN leadership positions.
