US President Donald Trump held a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, offering to help find a solution to the war in Ukraine, according to a Kremlin aide. Yuri Ushakov said the call took place ahead of Trump's participation at a Nato summit in Turkey, and described the conversation as 'business-like and quite constructive'. He added that Russia seeks a political-diplomatic resolution that accounts for its fundamental interests.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke with Trump, describing the conversation as 'very good'. Writing on Telegram, he noted discussions about the 1,200km frontline and stated: 'There is a real prospect to end this war and American resolve will have a crucial meaning.' Both leaders agreed to continue talks at the upcoming Nato meeting. However, Ushakov accused Kyiv and its European allies of attempting to prolong the conflict, citing Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian oil infrastructure.
Ukraine has denied Russian claims that its forces captured the strategic city of Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region. A Ukrainian army spokesperson told AFP the city remained under Ukrainian control, while Zelenskyy dismissed Moscow's announcement as 'a lie', suggesting Putin meet him there for diplomatic talks. Ukrainian spokesperson Andriy Kovalyov acknowledged small groups of Russian troops had infiltrated the town but insisted fighting was ongoing.
Russia reported that Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in St Petersburg and targeted a port near Finland, with one drone falling on the Peterhof palace complex without causing damage. Moscow said it downed nearly 500 drones and 10 missiles overnight. St Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov confirmed 72 drones were shot down, with one crashing in Peterhof, causing no casualties. The attack followed a Russian strike on Kyiv that killed 30 people.
Zelenskyy also claimed Kyiv struck the Kronstadt naval base in St Petersburg. Moscow authorities reported 62 drones shot down near the capital, with one person killed in the Bryansk region and another in Crimea. In the Belgorod region, infrastructure damage caused disruptions to electricity and water supplies.
