Ukraine war: Drones hit logistics center of Russian online retailer Ozon

Ukraine attacked another branch of a major Russian online retailer during the night. Employees at an Ozon logistics center in the southern Russian republic of Adygeya were evacuated because of a drone attack, the Russian state news agency Tass reported, citing the company. A fire broke out in the center. According to preliminary information, there were no injuries. The information could not initially be independently verified.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has increasingly destroyed or damaged shipping centers for the Russian online giants Wildberries and Ozon. The country has been defending itself against a Russian invasion with Western help since February 2022 and has been systematically attacking distant targets in Russia - especially refineries and the weapons industry - in its defensive battle for several months.

Ukraine, Russia and the USA are negotiating in the United Arab Emirates

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump made it clear in the British "Financial Times" that he was optimistic that the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia were making progress: "I think both sides have reached the point where they say: Let's reach an agreement," he said. Next Tuesday and Wednesday, the first direct talks between Ukraine and Russia in a long time will take place in the United Arab Emirates, mediated by the USA.

On Tuesday, Chancellor Friedrich Merz met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin. Both insisted that the Europeans must be involved in the upcoming talks to end the Russian war of aggression. Germany is currently Ukraine's most important supporter.

Selenskyj wrote late in the evening on Platform X that he had thanked Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for Germany's comprehensive support. He described Europe as an important part of driving the peace process forward.

Russian attacks on Kyiv and Odessa

Russia attacked numerous parts of Ukraine again during the night. Two power plants in the Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions were hit, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Telegram. In addition, a cargo ship was attacked near the port city of Odessa. According to Ukrainian authorities, there were further attacks in the Poltava, Dnipro, Kirovohrad and Rivne regions, as well as in the capital Kyiv.

Seriously injured, Kostiantyn Vlassenko has been waiting at his post in eastern Ukraine for months. He amputated his own foot before a drone took him out of the kill zone. Read here how he was rescued.