Ukraine's drone attacks on Russian oil refineries escalate, causing fuel shortages and rationing. Putin admits a 'certain deficit' in fuel, vows to protect facilities and increase output.
Ukrainian forces are escalating long-range drone strikes, using Fire Point drones to hit oil refineries and supply routes deep inside Russia and occupied Crimea. This campaign, led by secretive units like the First Separate Center of Unmanned Systems, aims to weaken Russia's war machine and isolate Crimea.
Russia's Defense Ministry reported using Geran and Gerbera drones to strike a military depot, a gas station, a temporary duty station, and a railway train in Ukraine's Chernigov, Sumy, and Zhitomir Regions.
Ukraine's drone strike on Moscow Refinery highlights enhanced capabilities and a strategy to hit Russia's energy revenues. Political shifts in the US and Hungary, coupled with falling oil prices, suggest a potential turning point, though depleted air defense and escalation risks remain concerns.
Russia claims the US has not honored agreements made between Presidents Putin and Trump at an August summit. This accusation follows Ukraine's intensified drone strikes and a G7 meeting where Zelensky declared Kyiv was winning the war, a narrative Moscow rejects.
Russia's Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik stated that Ukrainian forces escalated drone attacks on the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and Energodar last week. Attacks targeted ZNPP repair personnel, killing one and injuring another, and a large-scale raid hit the transport division, causing damage and a fire.
The Bank of Russia lowered its key interest rate to 14.25% from 14.5%, a smaller cut than anticipated. Factors influencing the decision include increased war spending, Western sanctions, and a fuel crisis exacerbated by Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries.
The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) reported that its transport department was hit by at least 14 Ukrainian drone strikes on the night of June 18. A garage caught fire, and buildings were damaged, but no injuries were reported. The ZNPP plans to inform the IAEA about the incident.
Four children's reunification with their families in Ukraine is currently blocked by regular Ukrainian drone strikes, according to Maria Lvova-Belova, the presidential commissioner for children's rights. The process will resume once it is safe for the minors.
A Ukrainian drone attack targeted Moscow's oil refinery in the Kapotnya district on Thursday, causing flames and smoke. This follows earlier drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure and comes amid ongoing hostilities, including Russian attacks on Kyiv.
Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries have led to fuel supply disruptions in over 10 regions, with Crimea experiencing a "logistical lockdown." While not a full-scale crisis, shortages are increasing, prices are rising, and experts warn of escalating problems if damaged refineries cannot resume operations.
A seven-year-old Somali boy, Abdiqadir Salah, risks losing the ability to walk due to shrapnel from a US airstrike six months ago. His family cannot afford the £750 surgery, and the US denies civilian casualties.
Ukraine plans to increase military wages by one-third to 30,000 hryvnias and offer fixed-term contracts to boost recruitment. President Zelenskyy also aims to recruit more foreign volunteers. Meanwhile, Russia's Putin claims Ukrainian drone strikes aim to sow confusion and damage the economy, though he admits some economic damage.
Drone strikes in el-Obeid, Sudan, killed up to 23 people, with reports of attacks hitting residential areas, a funeral, and a food truck. Emergency Lawyers blamed the RSF, though they did not claim responsibility. This follows other recent drone attacks in the region.
Iranian media reports drone strikes targeting the US Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, amid retaliation for alleged US aggression. An air raid alert was issued, with smoke seen over the facility. Iran's IRGC claimed responsibility, stating the operation followed US strikes on Iranian territory.
Ukraine launched long-range missile and drone attacks deep inside Russia, hitting a military factory in Cheboksary and oil refineries in Samara and Vladimir regions. President Zelenskyy declared a new 'Day of the Unmanned Systems Forces'. Meanwhile, Russia reported arrests in Moscow car bombings and continued attacks on Ukraine's Black Sea ports.
Iran's IRGC claims drone and missile strikes on US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, and two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, retaliating for renewed US attacks. Bahrain and Kuwait reported intercepting aerial targets. The US Central Command confirmed strikes on "multiple targets" inside Iran.
Iran's IRGC claimed drone strikes on US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait and hit two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the waterway closed. This follows renewed US strikes on Iran, ordered by President Trump in response to 'aggression'.
A Ukrainian drone struck a Moscow-Simferopol passenger train in Crimea, killing the assistant driver and injuring the driver. Passengers were unharmed and are being transported by bus.
The United States reported shooting down Iranian drones targeting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while Kuwait and Bahrain condemned Iranian attacks and intercepted missiles and drones. The exchanges come amid a wider conflict involving strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and retaliatory actions. Separate violence in the West Bank killed a seven-month-old baby, and an Israeli strike on a Lebanese army vehicle killed several soldiers.
Ukraine launched a massive drone attack on St. Petersburg, Russia, killing one, setting an oil depot ablaze, and disrupting operations during a key economic forum, hours after Putin rejected peace talks.
President Vladimir Putin said Russia will improve its air defenses following Ukrainian drone attacks that struck an oil terminal and naval base in St. Petersburg during his flagship economic forum. He expressed openness to a Ukraine peace deal based on understandings from his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed direct talks.
Russia's envoy to the UK, Andrey Kelin, admitted the war in Ukraine is costly and that Russia 'cannot lose'. Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in St Petersburg and a warship in Kronstadt, overshadowing Putin's economic forum. EU members agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that Ukraine's drone strikes deep inside Russia are causing 'panic' in the Kremlin, leading to escalated attacks on Ukraine. This comes after Ukraine targeted military and energy sites in St. Petersburg, which President Zelensky called a 'just response' to Russian assaults.
