🇷🇺🇸🇾 - Russia plans to sign multibillion dollar contracts with Syria to maintain its bases in the country. Investments include the construction of a new port in Tartus, gas offshore concessions, phosphates mines and hydrocarbon fields in Palmyra and the construction of a fertilizer plant in Homs.

— WSJ

Defense Secretary of the Philippines, Gilberto Teodoro stated that “China’s increasing aggression” in the disputed waters of the South China Sea is now considered as “the greatest threat to the national security of the Philippines.”

He also said that one of the greatest external threats is “Chinese expansionism” and added that the Philippines will take measures to “counter any attempt by China to impose an air defense zone or restrict freedom of flights over the South China Sea.”

Ukraine has almost entirely pushed Russian forces out of the important village of Udachne.

Udachne was the key for Russia to enter Dnipropetrovsk Oblast from the east - a key which they have now lost.

Russian forces have established a third bridgehead on the western bank of the Oskil River.

In the southeastern part of the Kursk salient, Russian forces resumed assault operations, and have significantly expanded their bridgehead on the western bank of the Psel River.

They advanced north from their positions in the forested areas, re-entering the village of Kurilovka which was previously lost due to Ukrainian counterattacks. They captured the southern half of it, taking up positions in the houses there, before attacking west, uphill, into the forested areas.

Russian forces managed to capture positions on the edge of the tactical heights, which - if successfully resupplied - will likely allow them to expand their zone of control further west towards the smaller of the two remaining roads leading into the Ukrainian-controlled part of Kursk.

+ ~2.96km² in favour of Russia.

In Vovchansk, Ukrainian forces conducted a few counterattacks, recapturing positions in two main areas.

In the east, Ukrainian forces advanced down Khilborobva and Gorkogo streets, before branching off onto Kotsiubynskoho and Stepova streets, recapturing them.

Further west, they attacked north through the city park, seizing the ruins of a high-rise building, as well as a few nearby houses.

+ ~0.40km² in favour of Ukraine

In the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces established a third bridgehead on the western bank of the Oskil River.

They advanced over the destroyed R79 highway bridge using pontoon bridges and quickly captured positions in the outer-most houses of the village of Senkove. They then expanded their zone of control to the southwest, capturing more houses.

+ ~1.52km² in favour of Russia.

Over the past week, Ukrainian forces conducted a series of infiltrations into the southern Zabalka district of Toretsk, where they captured a series of positions.

They were able to move through Russian lines in the open fields below the Terykons, and entered the western part of the Zabalka district. Ukrainian infantry were able to quickly clear out the positions there and moved deeper. A Russian attack on their positions here was repelled. Additionally, a rotation using an armoured vehicle was carried out. This confirms a solid Ukrainian presence in the residential area there.

Further south, another group of Ukrainian soldiers was able to move into the southernmost part of the Zabalka micro-district and captured part of the residential area there, along with a small industrial enterprise. A Russian attack there was also repelled.

+ ~1.35km² in favour of Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces continued their counterattacks in Udachne, and have nearly fully pushed Russian forces out of the vilage.

They advanced from positions in the northern part of the settlement, reaching the northeastern outskirts, where positions were recaptured.

Russian forces maintain a presence in the small industrial zone in the southwestern-most part of the village, but apart from that, Udachne has been entirely recaptured.

+ ~0.94km² in favour of Ukraine.

Just over a week ago, Russian forces marginally advanced in western Donetsk Oblast and are approaching the village of Oleksiivka.

Russian forces advanced downhill from a treeline, capturing a forest plantation. They are now approximately 700 metres from the eastern outskirts of Oleksiivka.

+ ~0.27km² in favour of Russia.

1 Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber redeployed from Olenya air base to Diaghilev air base, likely for the purpose of being equipped with Kh-22 cruise missiles.

Strategic comms were turned on. There’s a possibility of a large-scale Russian missile strike on Ukraine today.

Additionally, three Kalibr missile carriers are active in the waters of the Black Sea, with a toto possible salvo of up to 16 Kalibr cruise missiles.

Several Tu-95MS strategic bombers departed from Olenya air base. A Su-57 is also airborne.

The Su-57 is in Voronezh Oblast. It will likely fly to Kursk and launch Kh-59 cruise missiles from there.