A car bomb in the Moscow region has killed the general in charge of heavy ammunition supplies for the Russian army, according to reports. The vehicle exploded in Balashikha, killing its driver, identified as Damir Davydov, head of the Russian defence ministry’s missile and artillery wing. A second car bomb was discovered and safely detonated by authorities in south-west Moscow. Throughout the war, several audacious assassinations of senior Russian military figures have occurred, with Ukrainian security services either claiming responsibility or being blamed by Russian authorities. It's almost as if someone is trying to send a message.
Meanwhile, disruptions to fuel supplies have triggered panic-buying in Russia’s Krasnodar region, as Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure continue to hit fuel deliveries across southern regions and Russian-held Crimea. Emergency services finally extinguished an oil depot fire in Ust-Labinsk on Tuesday, days after a Ukrainian drone attack. Governor Veniamin Kondratyev noted, "Against the backdrop of a difficult situation in neighbouring regions, many people decided to stock up on gasoline, which caused artificial panic buying." Because nothing says "calm" like a run on petrol.
A Ukrainian drone attack also sparked a fuel tank fire in Russia’s southern Rostov region early Wednesday, according to Governor Yuri Slyusar, who reported no early casualties. In Dagestan, explosions rocked Kizilyurt as a gas pipeline blew up, with the mayor's office believing a gas distribution station was engulfed in flames.
The European Union hopes to ban Russian soldiers from entering member states as part of further sanctions targeting banks, crypto firms, and Kremlin oil revenues. The commission proposes maintaining a $44 price cap on Russian oil until January 2027, adding 30 "shadow fleet" oil tankers to its blacklist, and extending sanctions against cryptocurrency firms, banks, and oil traders aiding Russia. For the first time, sanctions would also include a ban on Russian cod imports and restrictions on other fish species, plus bans on Russian metals, ores, and car parts worth €60 million. EU export restrictions target metals and alloys for aerospace and defence industries, including drone equipment. Notably absent: EU alumina exports, following revelations about shipments from the Russian-owned Aughinish plant in Ireland to Siberia.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed progress on Ukraine's EU accession negotiations, with the first chapters on rule of law and democratic standards expected to open next week. She declared Ukraine is "making extraordinary progress" on reforms.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Nordic and Baltic leaders in Estonia on Tuesday, following incidents where Ukrainian drones were diverted into their countries by Russian electronic warfare. Zelenskyy promised low-cost drone defences, noting, "We did this in the Middle East, and it worked."
Bulgaria's new defence minister, Dimitar Stoyanov, announced the country will no longer supply arms to Ukraine, urging Moscow and Kyiv to negotiate. This comes after pro-Russian former president Rumen Radev became prime minister.
Finally, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there are no plans for a Trump-Putin call, though American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner remain in contact. Peskov dismissed the EU as a potential mediator, stating, "Starting mediation efforts by putting forward certain conditions to Russia is likely illogical and wrong... this is unacceptable to us."