US officials are visiting Syria for the first time since al-Assad's removal, while Russia holds rates steady at 21%. Ukraine vows more attacks after killing a Russian general. The US kills ISIS leader Abu Yusif in Syria, escalating tensions.

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US officials have made their first diplomatic visit to Syria since the removal of President al-Assad, engaging in talks with new leaders including the terrorist-designated HTS. Meanwhile, Russia's central bank maintains its key interest rate at 21%, facing criticism amid inflation concerns linked to war spending. Ukraine has escalated its military actions, claiming responsibility for the assassination of a high-ranking Russian general in Moscow and promising further attacks on war criminals. In a separate counter-terrorism effort, the US has confirmed the killing of Islamic State leader Abu Yusif in an airstrike in Syria. The ongoing conflict intensifies as a missile attack on Kyiv has resulted in a counterstrike on the Russian city of Kursk, which has left six people dead.