Ukrainian forces carried out fresh strikes on oil facilities in Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea, according to officials from both countries. The attacks are part of Kyiv’s broader strategy to increase the economic cost of the war for Moscow.
In a separate development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that businessman Roman Abramovich acted as an intermediary between Kyiv and Moscow during earlier stages of the conflict.
Zelenskyy told a news channel that the former Chelsea Football Club owner travelled to Kyiv carrying a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Zelenskyy, Abramovich conveyed that Russia wanted to understand Ukraine’s position and offered to deliver Kyiv’s response to Putin.
Meanwhile, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said a proposed new package of sanctions against Russia includes 80 listings targeting individuals and entities linked to the country’s military-industrial sector, human rights violations and propaganda activities. She said Western sanctions have already cost Russia an estimated USD 1.2-1.5 trillion.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air defence systems intercepted 310 Ukrainian drones overnight, including aircraft targeting the Moscow region, western and southern Russia, Crimea and areas over the Black and Azov seas.
Meanwhile, Russia launched 155 drones overnight, of which 124 were either shot down or neutralised by Ukraine air defence systems.
