politics
Ukraine war briefing: Russia bans voting against the war
Every candidate of Yabloko – the last anti-war party – barred from September elections; warning over ‘Russian Starlink’ progress. What we know on day 1,630
TL;DR
- Russia's Supreme Court has banned the Yabloko party's candidates from standing in the State Duma elections, removing the last option for voters to oppose the war.
- Yabloko leader Nikolay Rybakov stated the party would appeal the decision, noting that around 40 activists face prosecution for opposing the war.
- Russia is rapidly deploying its alternative to Starlink, the Rassvet satellite system, with 16 satellites already in orbit, raising concerns for Ukrainian intelligence.
- Russia has met its annual production targets for Zircon and Oniks missiles and is exceeding its 2026 goals, while Ukraine's missile and drone production facilities are targeted.
- A Ukrainian drone strike hit the Taneco refinery in Nizhnekamsk, Russia, causing significant damage and casualties.
- Ukraine is considering shipping grain by rail through Moldova to the Romanian port of Constanța as a more secure alternative to sea routes.
- Missile strikes by Russia on Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv resulted in casualties and damage to warehouses.
- A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet crashed after a missile misfired during a combat mission, with the pilot ejecting safely.