In talks in Sochi, Russia, President Vladimir Putin rejected efforts by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to revive a United Nations-backed deal to allow the safe passage of grain from Ukraine.
After a classmate was killed in his hometown of Bakhmut — the longest and bloodiest battle in Russia's war on Ukraine — a rescue worker volunteered to evacuate people from the front lines.
The rebellious leader of the Wagner mercenary group said he had ordered his troops back to base, but analysts say the serious challenge to the Russian president will diminish his authority.