Fearful of Ukrainian drones, which have struck deep inside Russia in recent months, Vladimir Putin cancelled the Navy Day parade in St Petersburg and instead attended watered down ceremonies. This was the first time he had to cancel the parade.

A former Russian prime minister has said Vladimir Putin may be forced to agree a peace deal to end the war with Ukraine by the end of the year. Mikhail Kasyanov said Russia’s “contracting” economy meant the country’s president may have no option but to seek a settlement to stop the hostilities.