Putin arrives in Uzbekistan on the 3rd foreign trip of his new term

Putin laid a wreath at a monument to Uzbekistan's independence in Tashkent and held informal talks with Mirziyoyev, according to the Kremlin. Their formal meeting is scheduled for Monday.

This visit marks Putin's third foreign trip since his inauguration for a fifth term in May. He first visited China, expressing appreciation for China's proposals to end the Ukraine conflict, and later went to Belarus, where Russia has deployed tactical nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone attack on a gas station in Russia's Oryol region, near the Ukrainian border, resulted in one death and three injuries on Monday, government officials reported.

"A drone fell this morning on the territory of a gas station in the town of Livny," said Andrei Klychkov, governor of Oryol, on Telegram, adding that it damaged the facade of an administrative building.

After emergency services arrived at the scene, another drone attack occurred, Klychkov said.

"According to initial information, the driver of a fire engine was unfortunately killed," he noted, adding that three other emergency service employees were injured.

The Russian defense ministry reported neutralizing a dozen Ukrainian drones overnight, including six over the Oryol region, approximately 170 kilometers (106 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Ukraine has increased its attacks on Russian border regions in recent months, particularly targeting energy sites. Kyiv has stated its intent to bring the fight to Russian soil in retaliation for numerous bombings on its territory.

Fortifications on the Border

Defense officials in NATO member Poland presented plans on Monday for fortifications and strengthening its eastern border with Russia and Belarus.

The government claims Poland is being targeted by hostile actions from Russia and Belarus, including cyberattacks, attempted arson, and illegal migrant crossings intended to destabilize the European Union, of which Poland is a member.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government has planned a range of security measures, including in cyberspace, and a $2.5 billion investment in eastern border security, known as Shield-East. He announced last week that work on the shield has begun.

Poland's previous right-wing government built a $400 million wall on the border with Belarus to halt a massive inflow of migrants starting in 2021. The current pro-EU government states it needs to be strengthened.