Putin makes personnel changes and meets with officials

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a series of personnel appointments, including naming Viktor Melnik as a deputy prosecutor general. He also held a meeting with Alexander Bastrykin, the head of the country's Investigative Committee.

Separately, a report argues that Putin's political survival is not dependent on achieving a military victory. In another development, Putin has proposed allowing the release of Russian citizens imprisoned abroad, which could apply to individuals convicted in other countries.