MOSCOW DAILY - 12 MARCH 2026
Kremlin Signals Settlement Openness While Blaming Kyiv; PUTIN Envoy DMITRIEV Meets Trump Officials in Florida on Energy; FSB Claims Crimea Assassination Plot Disrupted
Kremlin spokesman: Russia open to Ukraine settlement, blames Kyiv for obstructing peace
Peskov stated March 12 that Russia remains open to paths toward Ukraine settlement but accused Kyiv of continuing to obstruct the peace process. Comes as previously postponed U.S.-Russia-Ukraine trilateral negotiations are tentatively rescheduled for March 16-22 timeframe per earlier reporting.
MoD: Ukrainian forces attacked TurkStream Russkaya compressor station with 10 UAVs destroyed
Russian Ministry of Defense reported March 12 that Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked Russkaya compressor station in Krasnodar region servicing TurkStream gas pipeline, with Russian air defenses destroying 10 UAVs. Continues Ukrainian campaign against Russian energy infrastructure during global energy crisis; Gazprom previously reported 12 attacks on pipeline facilities over past two weeks.
Russian Investigative Committee: Crocus City Hall attack committed in interests of Kyiv leadership
SK Russia spokeswoman Petrenko stated March 12 that Crocus City Hall terrorist attack was planned and executed in interests of Ukraine's current leadership. Comes as military court sentenced 15 of 19 defendants to life imprisonment including four direct perpetrators; extends Russian official narrative linking Ukraine to March 2024 attack that killed 150.
FSB prevents Ukrainian-directed assassination plot targeting senior MoD official in Crimea
FSB arrested 39-year-old Sevastopol resident March 12 who established contact with Ukrainian-controlled terrorist organization via Telegram and collected intelligence on high-ranking Russian military official in Crimea for assassination planning. Part of sustained Ukrainian intelligence operations targeting Russian military leadership in occupied territories.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: Kremlin Spokesman PESKOV stated 12 March that Russia remains open to paths toward Ukraine settlement but accused Kyiv of continuing to obstruct the peace process, representing Moscow's most explicit diplomatic posture shift since the previously postponed U.S.-Russia-Ukraine trilateral negotiations were tentatively rescheduled for 16-22 March per earlier reporting. PUTIN envoy Kirill DMITRIEV — head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund — met with U.S. Special Envoy Steve WITKOFF and presidential son-in-law Jared KUSHNER in Florida 12 March to discuss global energy markets, per Ukrinform citing unnamed sources, raising questions about potential sanctions relief as Brent crude trades above $107/barrel amid Iran war-driven supply disruptions — a windfall European officials fear strengthens Moscow's negotiating hand. The FSB announced 12 March it arrested a 39-year-old Sevastopol resident who allegedly established Telegram contact with a Ukrainian-controlled terrorist organization and collected intelligence on a high-ranking Russian military official in Crimea for assassination planning, continuing the counter-terrorism narrative FSB Director BORTNIKOV amplified 9 March. Russia's Investigative Committee stated 12 March that the March 2024 Crocus City Hall terrorist attack was planned and executed "in the interests of Ukraine's current leadership," as a military court sentenced 15 of 19 defendants to life imprisonment including the four direct perpetrators — extending the official narrative linking Ukraine to the attack that killed 150 despite the Islamic State claiming responsibility and U.S. intelligence confirming ISIS-K involvement. END SUMMARY.
