Russia “strikes back” today. This might be a response to successful attacks on Russian oil infrastructure
Zelensky: over 60 "shaheds" and nearly 90 different missiles targeted at power plants, power lines, a hydroelectric dam, residential buildings 1/
This is the largest combined attack on the Ukrainian power system since the beginning of the full-scale invasion: Ukrenergo
100s of thousands of homes are in blackout 2/
Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, Kirovohrad, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa and Donetsk are in blackout and being stabilized
There are interruptions of internet and water supply in multiple regions 3/
-Russia hit the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant. There is a major fire but no threat of a dam breach.
Ukrhydroenergo reported two direct missile hits on the plant. One part is in a critical condition and unlikely to be repaired, Ukrhydroenergo director Ihor Syrota 4/
Ukrainian Armed Forces shoot down 92 out of 151 missiles and drones - Air Force.
Zelensky: We can talk with Russians in any format. Russia doesn’t want ceasefire, peace. French and British troops will be first in Ukraine as security. The US is close to imposing more sanctions on Russia. 0/
Zelensky: Russia doesn’t want a ceasefire. There is an increase in attacks along the front line, more than 200 a day.
Russia is eager to push us out of Kursk region, but there is no encirclement. We remain on the territory of Kursk region – and not only Kursk. 1/
Zelensky: French and British troops will be among the first [in Ukraine], they are the main [driving force behind] a European contingent. 2/
Rubio says Ukraine wants to make peace, but Russia has to make up its mind.
Rubio: Putin and Russia have to make a decision: if they're serious about peace or not. We’ll see that in a matter of weeks, not months
The Ukrainians accepted a ceasefire to create space for talks 1/
Rubio: If Russia uses a delay tactic, President Trump is not interested in the trap of endless negotiations about negotiations. We're going to wait and see. 2/
Rubio: The only way a war ends in a negotiated settlement - is if both sides make concessions.
US won't prejudge what those are - they'll depend on what Ukraine and Russia are willing to accept. 3/
Russia has been misunderstood, says Russian envoy after Washington visit
Kirill Dmitriev: There was no dialogue with Russia under Biden. No attempt to understand our position.
Trump's team has achieved first descalation ever, stopping hits on energy infrastructure. 1/
Dmitriev: There is no question Trump’s team not only stopped World War III from happening, but also achieved progress on Ukraine question resolution. 2/
Q: After that resolution there were Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy?
Dmitriev: But so there were attacks by Ukrainians on Russian energy infrastructure.
[Well, Russia struck the moment the call was over. Ukraine didn’t]
Putin hates electronics and modern technology and Russia suffers by fighting instead of innovating.
Russia ranks 31st globally in AI capacity, FT says.
Sberbank bought only 9,000 GPUs since February 2022. In comparison, Microsoft purchased ~500,000 in one year. 1/
Putin personally rejects modern technology. He avoids using internet, smartphones, and computers.
He once demanded his inner circle to use typewriters instead of digital devices. This behavior directly contributes to Russia's technological gap. 2/
Russia lost 10% of its tech workforce to emigration since 2022. Sanctions block access to advanced semiconductors that Russia needs for AI development from traditional trade partners. 3/
JD Vance: I am not thinking about 2028. 40% of Social Security call are fraud. Elon cleans this up. We borrowed from Chinese peasant to buy what they make. DC got rich off jobs moving overseas. Eggs [prices] dropped 60%. We will cut taxes. 0/
JD Vance: Elon came in to shrink the bloated bureaucracy. 40% of Social Security calls are fraud—some from people “150 years old.” The 60% who need help are stuck waiting. Elon started the cleanup. It’s not a 6-month job. He’ll stay an adviser. 1/
JD Vance: For 40 years we borrowed from Chinese peasants to buy what they make. Factories shut. Prices soared. Trump proved tariffs don’t mean inflation—he brought growth and jobs. Biden’s globalist path failed. We need a big change, and Trump’s delivering it. 2/