Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Russia, targeting areas from the Black Sea to central Russia, including St. Petersburg, where a major economic forum was underway. Russia said it intercepted 376 drones, while Ukraine reported at least three civilians killed by Russian strikes. President Zelenskyy said the drones traveled about 1,000 kilometers to hit Russian naval arsenals and a base in Kronstadt.
Putin held private talks in the Kremlin with former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, whom he has proposed as a potential mediator in future Russia-Europe talks on Ukraine. Details of the meeting were not disclosed. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas rejected Schröder as a mediator, saying he has ties to Russian state-controlled energy companies and would be "sitting on both sides of the table."
Zelenskyy recently invited Putin to direct talks, proposing a full ceasefire. The Kremlin quickly refused, insisting that extensive preparatory work was needed before any leader summit. Attention now turns to a meeting in London where Zelenskyy, Macron, Merz, and Starmer will discuss military support and diplomatic strategy.