Suspect in Killing of Putin Critic Arrested in Poland; Ukraine Stages Major Drone Attack on Moscow

Polish authorities have arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of Russian activist Robert Kuzovkov, a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin. The suspect is a 36-year-old man with a Georgian passport who is believed to have ties to organized crime. Officials said there may be a link to a foreign intelligence service. Kuzovkov was killed on Monday in Poland, in what is seen as part of a possible Russian sabotage campaign in NATO nations. He had painted unflattering caricatures of Putin and other high-ranking Russian officials, including one showing Putin being cradled by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. Kuzovkov had refused offers of protection from Polish authorities. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the killing as a political assassination that may have been ordered by Russia.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Kyiv's largest drone attack on Moscow since the start of the war as revenge for Russia's strike on a historic Kyiv monastery earlier this week. Ukrainian drones hit several locations across Moscow, setting a major oil refinery on fire and forcing evacuations at the city's airport. Russia's foreign minister announced that Russia would launch huge "group strikes" on Ukraine on a regular basis in response.

The European Union has reached out to Moscow in a tentative bid to open a line of communication, seeking to avoid being sidelined in any potential peace talks. However, several EU leaders said there was no point in rushing into talks with Russia. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stated, "First of all, there has to be someone on the other side willing for peace," adding that unfortunately no one on that side wants peace. EU leaders also agreed to renew sanctions against Russia for another 12 months, marking the first time such sanctions have been renewed for a year instead of six months.

Britain will provide 150,000 drones to Ukraine by the end of 2026 as part of a £752 million ($996 million) funding package. The package includes 350 air defense missiles and ground-based radar systems. The loan is backed by proceeds from immobilized Russian sovereign assets.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine wants to end the war with Russia before winter through diplomacy and pressure on Moscow. If fighting continues longer, Ukraine will need a winter assistance package including gas, diesel fuel, and energy equipment, as well as a missile package of at least 300 missiles.

Russian spy drones flying into Ukraine from Belarusian airspace have sharply increased since the beginning of the year. Ukraine has reinforced fortifications on its northern border, including anti-tank ditches, concrete "dragon's teeth" obstacles, and new areas of barbed wire.

Russia and Ukraine carried out another exchange of war dead on Thursday, with Russia receiving 33 bodies and Ukraine receiving 522 bodies, according to Russia's RBC news outlet, citing a Russian lawmaker.