Ukraine Hits Russian Oil Refinery and President Zelenskyy Declares Break with Trump
Ukraine launched a drone strike against an oil refinery in Russia, roughly 300 kilometers southeast of Moscow, ending a brief pause in energy site attacks, La Jornada reported. The strike on Thursday sparked a fire at the facility, according to confirmations from the Kremlin’s Ministry of Defense and Pavel Malkov, while digital media outlet Astra published what it said was a photograph of the blaze. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that his patience had run out following intensified Russian aerial bombardments on his country’s power infrastructure.
Zelenskyy Alleges Betrayal Over Starlink Limits and US-Russia Diesel Deal
Zelenskyy told British journalist Piers Morgan in a YouTube interview that he felt betrayed by an agreement between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the announcement of an energy truce, and limits placed on Starlink communications terminals used by Ukrainian forces. Another point of friction centers on an agreement between Trump and Putin to import diesel despite international sanctions against Russia, a deal Zelenskyy argued would allow Russia to continue its invasion.
Kremlin and Russian Officials Deny Pause and Condemn Drone Strikes
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov disputed claims of any prior pause, asserting that Ukraine never actually stopped targeting Russian refineries. Sergey Lavrov condemned the renewed drone assaults, describing them as a direct challenge to President Trump. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that air defense units intercepted 166 drones overnight and successfully struck two vessels carrying military cargo.
European Union Leaders Rally Behind Kyiv Amid Escalating Strikes
Traveling to Brussels for a two-day European Union summit, Zelenskyy met with NATO General Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the prime ministers of Poland, Denmark, and Belgium to shore up diplomatic backing. European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas stated during the summit that the bloc stands firmly with Ukraine, emphasizing that international pressure belongs on the aggressor rather than the victim. The diplomatic outreach follows a series of deadly aerial attacks that left three dead and six injured in Ukraine’s central Kirovohrad region after more than 10 hours of drone bombardments.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Renewed Energy Strikes
What damage did the Ukrainian drone strike cause at the refinery?
The drone strike triggered a fire at the facility located approximately 300 kilometers southeast of Moscow, a development confirmed by Pavel Malkov and the Russian Ministry of Defense.
How many Russian drones did Ukraine report launching during the intensive raids?
Zelenskyy stated on X that Russia launched more than 850 unmanned aerial vehicles across 15 Ukrainian regions between midnight and Thursday morning.
Which European leaders did Zelenskyy meet with in Brussels?
Zelenskyy held meetings with NATO General Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the prime ministers of Poland, Denmark, and Belgium during the two-day European Union summit.
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