Moscow

In 2026, Russian forces made only marginal territorial gains in Ukraine, yet Moscow's official maps and annexation claims continued to be updated as if large areas were under its control. According to the analysis, the gap between reality on the ground and Russia's claimed territory exceeds 5,000 square kilometres. Observers are highlighting this discrepancy as evidence of the widening distance between Kremlin claims and battlefield facts.

Russian state media have announced a new "special military operation". RIA Novosti published a piece by author Alexander Nosovich titled "Russia faces another special military operation. It will be very short.", circulating through Kremlin-aligned propagandists. The claim of a short operation is drawing attention and scepticism, echoing the initial framing of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow also predicted would be brief.

Ukraine has carried out what is described as its largest attack to date on Moscow, according to CNN coverage featuring a military expert's analysis of the strike. The attack marks a significant escalation in the ongoing war, targeting the Russian capital directly. Analysts are assessing the scale, weapons used, and potential impact on Russian air defences and the broader course of the conflict.

Ukraine has launched what is described as the largest drone attack on Moscow since the start of the war, firing hundreds of drones at the Russian capital. The strike forced temporary airport closures and prompted air defences across the region to respond. The scale marks a significant escalation in Ukraine's long-range strike campaign against targets deep inside Russia.

Germany's foreign minister met with her Russian counterpart in a rare direct encounter since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, urging Russia to abandon what she called a dangerous escalation of the war. The meeting stands out given the near-total freeze in high-level diplomatic contacts between Berlin and Moscow, and it signals continuing Western efforts to keep channels open even as fighting intensifies.

Donald Trump has asserted striking figures for casualties in the Russia-Ukraine war, a claim highlighted by Fox News coverage. The remarks feed an ongoing debate over the true human cost of the conflict, as independent casualty counts remain contested and estimates from Kyiv, Moscow and Western sources differ widely.

Ukraine launched a record drone attack on Moscow, leaving parts of the Russian capital ablaze on the final day of Russia's presidential election. The strike, one of the largest on the city since the war began, coincided with voting in which President Vladimir Putin sought a new term. Ukrainian officials described the operation as a demonstration that Russia's rear areas are no longer safe.

Reports say Moscow has been struck by a massive wave of Ukrainian drones in what is being described as the largest such attack of the war. The strikes reportedly hit multiple areas of the Russian capital, disrupting air traffic and prompting emergency responses. The scale of the onslaught has drawn widespread attention as Ukraine's long-range drone campaign reaches deeper into Russian territory.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called for the creation of a new Eurasian security architecture, urging that regional arrangements replace existing frameworks. His remarks, delivered in a United Nations context, renew Moscow's long-standing push for a security order in Eurasia that would reduce the influence of Western-led alliances such as NATO and reshape regional cooperation arrangements.

England are set to play Spain in their opening Nations League fixture, with kick-off at 21:45. The match headlines a busy weekend of sport, alongside Zenit's game in China and the Moscow Marathon, and is drawing attention from fans across several countries as both sides begin their campaigns in the new UEFA competition.

Russia has accused European governments of obstructing negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, while Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "settle" the conflict directly with Vladimir Putin. The exchange highlights growing friction between Washington, Moscow and European capitals over who is responsible for the stalled peace effort and what terms might end the fighting.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany met in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, in the first talks at that level since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The meeting marks a notable thaw in contacts between Moscow and a leading European Union power, coming as diplomacy over the war and its aftermath draws renewed attention at the United Nations.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany have met for the first time since 2022, holding talks on the margins of the United Nations. The meeting marks a rare direct diplomatic contact between Moscow and a major European power since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and is being closely watched for signs of any shift in relations.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in the first talks between the two countries' top diplomats since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Defending the move, Wadephul said: "You have to negotiate with adversaries." The meeting marks a notable shift in Germany's diplomatic stance toward Moscow and is drawing wide attention and debate about whether dialogue with Russia is appropriate now.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on Sept. 26, citing Ukrainian military intelligence, that Russia plans to spend $12 billion next year on producing jet-powered drones and loitering munitions. The figure highlights Moscow's growing investment in long-range attack drones as its war against Ukraine continues.

The foreign ministers of Germany and Russia have met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, a rare direct encounter between the two governments since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine strained ties. Contacts between Berlin and Moscow at ministerial level have been almost nonexistent in recent years, making the meeting notable for diplomacy watchers, though details of what was discussed remain limited.

Ukraine launched strikes targeting Moscow on the first day of Russia's presidential election, in which Vladimir Putin is widely expected to secure another term. The timing is seen as a pointed message, striking the Russian capital just as voting begins. Observers say the attack highlights Ukraine's growing ability to hit targets deep inside Russia, including oil refineries and infrastructure, while underscoring that the election takes place amid an ongoing war and with major opposition candidates barred from the ballot.

Reports say Moscow came under a large-scale Ukrainian attack, according to a morning news bulletin from TVP World. Details on casualties or damage were not provided in the headline. The strike marks another escalation in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, with long-range attacks on the Russian capital drawing widespread international attention.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats met at the United Nations for their first talks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The meeting marks a rare direct high-level contact between Berlin and Moscow since February 2022, and is drawing attention for what it may signal about diplomatic channels reopening between the two governments amid the ongoing war.

Reports describe the largest drone attack yet on Moscow, with a major oil refinery reportedly struck and taken offline. The strike would mark a significant escalation in Ukraine's long-range campaign against Russian energy infrastructure, which has repeatedly targeted refineries to disrupt fuel supplies and export revenue. Commenters are following the scale of the operation closely and debating its impact on Russia's war effort.

Germany and Russia have held their first direct talks since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The meeting marks a notable diplomatic opening between Berlin and Moscow after years of frozen contacts, and observers are watching closely for what it could signal about Europe's approach to Russia as debate over Ukraine's future continues.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an evening video address that Russia is not currently preparing to end the war against Ukraine. His remarks underscore Kyiv's view that Moscow retains no intention of halting hostilities despite ongoing international discussion of possible peace efforts. The statement is drawing attention amid continued fighting and diplomatic uncertainty over how, or when, the conflict might be brought to a close.

A senior Russian diplomat has stated that Moscow remains committed to peace talks over Ukraine and denied accusations that Russia is avoiding negotiations. The statement comes as international pressure continues over the stalled diplomatic process, with Western capitals repeatedly accusing the Kremlin of dragging out the war rather than pursuing a genuine settlement.

Russia says recent strikes have destroyed roughly a quarter of Ukraine's internet infrastructure along with Starlink facilities used for battlefield communications. The claim could not be independently verified, and Ukraine has not confirmed the extent of the damage. The reported targeting of Starlink equipment highlights Moscow's focus on disrupting Kyiv's military connectivity.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany met in New York on Saturday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, in the first meeting at that level since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The talks mark a rare diplomatic contact between Moscow and a major European power and are drawing attention for what they may signal about the state of relations between Russia and the West.

Ukrainian drone strikes targeted the Moscow region, with reports indicating around 1,300 drones were involved in the assault. The scale of the attack, if confirmed, would mark one of the largest drone operations of the war, testing Russian air defences around the capital. Analysts are weighing what a strike of this magnitude means for the conflict's trajectory.