Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, the nearly 1000-year-old monastery complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Kyiv, was damaged and engulfed in flames following a massive Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital. According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia launched 70 missiles and 611 drones overnight, making it one of the largest barrages in recent months. Images from the scene showed firefighters battling flames around the historic Dormition Cathedral as explosions rocked the city. The monastery, famous for its underground caves, ancient churches and centuries-old religious relics, was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage in Danger list in 2023 due to threats posed by the ongoing war.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a sharp response to European criticism during a high-profile geopolitical discussion in Finland. Responding to questions over India's purchase of Russian oil, Jaishankar highlighted what he described as a contradiction in Europe's position, pointing out that European weapons have been used against India while no European country has ever been attacked with Indian weapons. The minister defended India's energy policy, arguing that decisions are driven by national interest, affordability and energy security. He also noted that changes in global energy markets after the Russia-Ukraine conflict forced India to diversify its sourcing strategy.