Ukrainian drone strikes hit industrial sites and a residential area in Russia's Rostov, Penza, and Samara regions, killing three people, according to local officials. The attacks mark an escalation in cross-border hostilities.

Editor’s Note: This story highlights the intensifying conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with civilian casualties and infrastructure attacks deepening tensions. It underscores how the war continues to spill beyond Ukraine's borders, raising risks of further escalation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow is willing to wait if Ukraine refuses to engage in peace talks, reiterating that Russia's conditions for ending the conflict have not changed since 2024. The comments suggest a prolonged stalemate unless Kyiv agrees to negotiate on Moscow's terms.

Editor’s Note: This story highlights the ongoing deadlock in the war, with Russia signaling it won't back down from its demands. For global observers, it underscores the unlikelihood of a quick resolution and raises questions about how long the fighting—and its wider geopolitical ripple effects—might continue.