Fighting, Energy Strikes, and Diplomacy Shape Latest Phase of Ukraine War:

In a video shared by Ukrainian media, President Zelenskyy is seen wearing a bulletproof vest and standing near a sign marking the entrance to Kupiansk. He said that progress on the front lines is extremely important so Ukraine can also achieve results through diplomatic efforts. Ukraine also stepped up attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. An official from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said Ukrainian drones struck two Russian oil rigs in the Caspian Sea. The rigs, named Filanovsky and Korchagin, belong to Russia’s oil company Lukoil. The Filanovsky rig is part of Russia’s largest oil field in the Caspian Sea and had already been targeted earlier this week. These attacks are part of Ukraine’s campaign to disrupt Russia’s oil and gas production. In another operation, Ukraine said it worked with a local resistance group to strike two Russian ships in the Caspian Sea that were transporting weapons and military equipment. Ukrainian officials did not say exactly when the attack happened. Ukraine’s military also reported an attack on a major Russian oil refinery in the city of Yaroslavl, northeast of Moscow. Industry sources said the refinery stopped production after the strike. Meanwhile, Russia launched attacks on Ukraine’s southern ports, including Chornomorsk and Odesa. Ukrainian officials said three Turkish-owned ships were damaged, one of which was a civilian vessel carrying food supplies. These attacks raised concerns about safety in the Black Sea. Russia has earlier threatened to block Ukraine’s access to the sea in response to Ukraine’s maritime drone attacks on Russian oil tankers that Moscow allegedly uses to secretly export oil. Russia also targeted energy facilities in Ukraine’s Odesa region overnight. The attacks caused fires and left several towns and villages without electricity, according to local officials and emergency services. Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed it shot down 90 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory and the Black Sea during the night. Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport temporarily suspended flights because of the drone attacks. In the city of Tver, northwest of Moscow, authorities said seven people were injured. After Turkish-owned ships were damaged, Türkiye called for an urgent end to the war. Ankara said the incident showed how dangerous the situation has become for maritime security in the Black Sea. Türkiye proposed suspending attacks on shipping routes, ports, and energy facilities to prevent further escalation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Russian President Vladimir Putin and suggested that a limited ceasefire, especially around ports and energy infrastructure, could be useful. On the diplomatic front, national security advisers from Ukraine, Europe, and the United States met to discuss possible peace proposals. Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said the talks focused on coordinating positions. Ukraine’s Prime Minister said the meeting included U.S. figures such as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, along with World Bank and BlackRock leaders. U.S. President Donald Trump said a proposed free economic zone in Ukraine-controlled parts of the Donbas region could work as part of a compromise plan. Russia, however, set strict conditions. A Kremlin adviser said a ceasefire would only be possible if Ukraine withdrew from the entire Donbas region. He warned that Russia would take full control of the area by force if negotiations failed. The European Union agreed to freeze €210 billion worth of Russian assets indefinitely. This decision prevents the funds from being returned to Russia and allows the EU to consider using the money to support Ukraine. Russia’s central bank called the move illegal and said it would take legal action. Finally, Germany summoned Russia’s ambassador over what it described as increased cyberattacks, espionage, disinformation, and sabotage efforts linked to Moscow.

NEWS