Newest Refinery Assault Shows 'Zero Protected Locations in Russia's Distant Backlines'
Ukraine's UAVs have targeted Russia's oil refinery in Ufa, situated approximately 1,400 kilometres from Ukraine, triggering explosions and a inferno, according to a source in Ukraine's SBU.
This constitutes the 3rd intelligence long-range attack in Bashkortostan in the recent weeks. Such operations show that there are no secure zones in the distant backlines of the Russian Federation.
Zelenskyy Urges US President to Mediate Ceasefire in Ukraine
The Ukrainian leader urged President Trump to mediate a ceasefire in the Ukrainian conflict during a telephone conversation on the weekend.
"Provided that a conflict can be halted in a particular zone, then certainly additional conflicts can be halted as well, covering the Russian war," he remarked, praising Trump's "remarkable" Middle East truce proposal and requesting the American leader to influence the Kremlin into talks.
Russian Strikes Kill Casualties in Ukraine
Strikes by Russia on Ukraine resulted in the deaths of five people on Saturday and cut power to areas of the southern Odesa region, as stated by Ukrainian officials.
A pair of individuals were killed in a church in Kostyantynivka when it was hit, as reported by regional officials.
In Russia's border region of Belgorod, a vehicle operator was killed by a drone assault, per local officials.
Power Recovery Work in the Capital
Efforts continued on the weekend to repair energy infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital, after assaults.
Power had been recovered to more than 800,000 inhabitants by Saturday and the biggest power firm stated the main efforts to restore power was complete though certain disruptions persisted.
Air Defence Actions and UAV Downings
Ukraine's anti-aircraft systems downed or disrupted 54 out of 78 total Russian drones launched against Ukraine during the night, the military announced on Saturday.
Russia's defense officials claimed it shot down 42 enemy UAVs from Ukraine over Russian territory.
Cuba Refutes Accusations of Sending Troops to Ukraine
The Cuban government on Saturday denied US assertions it has deployed soldiers to fight in the Ukraine war, while affirming Cuban authorities "do not have accurate details about individuals" involved "independently" or "as part of the armed units of the conflicting parties".
The foreign ministry in the capital said 26 nationals had been given prison terms to prison terms from 5 to 14 years for mercenary activity since September 2023 when news emerged of individuals being deployed to the front in the conflict.
Surrender Initiative Project Reveals Details on Cuban Recruitment
The surrender initiative, a state initiative that encourages enemy combatants to lay down arms, said in spring: "We have confirmed the names and personal details of over a thousand individuals who entered into agreements with the Moscow's troops in 2023-2024."
The Cuban authorities commented of those who might be participating: "There is no doubt that no individual possesses the support, dedication, or approval of the government in Havana for their involvement."
Kin of Cuban nationals who departed to the Russian Federation in 2023 told Agence France-Presse at the time that their loved ones had been deceptively recruited through advertisements on online platforms.
