Ukrainian Drones Target Russian Oil Infrastructure Amid Escalating Conflict Ukrainian drones launched coordinated strikes on multiple Russian oil facilities and set two oil tankers ablaze in the Sea of Azov on Thursday, intensifying the ongoing conflict. The attacks, which followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a license for Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defense systems, marked another phase in Kyiv’s efforts to disrupt Moscow’s energy supply. The strikes have exacerbated a fuel crisis in Russia, leading to gasoline shortages and rationing in several regions, while Moscow has retaliated with intensified bombardments on Ukrainian cities. The Ukrainian military confirmed that drones struck oil depots in the western Russian city of Tver and the southern Stavropol region, forcing evacuations of nearby residential areas. In the Sea of Azov, two oil tankers were set ablaze, with one still burning as its crew was evacuated. These strikes are part of a broader campaign to cut fuel supplies to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attacks as “long-range sanctions” aimed at inflicting economic pain on Russia for its refusal to end the war. Zelenskyy emphasized that Kyiv’s actions are a direct response to Moscow’s continued military operations, stating, “Every day of delay should bring the feeling of war to where it all began — to Russia.” The strikes have also drawn a strong reaction from Russia, which has accused Ukraine of escalating the conflict. Russian Defense Ministry officials reported that 73 Ukrainian drones were intercepted or destroyed between late Wednesday and early Thursday, while Ukraine’s air force claimed Russia launched 94 long-range strike drones and two ballistic missiles, damaging 13 locations.#donald_trump #russia #ukraine #volodymyr_zelenskyy #dmitry_peskov
Trump Announces Three-Day Ceasefire Between Russia and Ukraine Donald Trump has announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, following accusations from both sides that each had violated separate ceasefires declared to mark the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany. The agreement, which Trump described as a suspension of all kinetic activity and a prison swap involving 1,000 prisoners from each country, was confirmed by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian state media. The ceasefire, set to begin on 8 May, coincides with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, which will feature no military hardware for the first time in nearly two decades. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously announced a ceasefire for 8-9 May to safeguard the Victory Day parade in Red Square, while Kyiv had called for an indefinite truce starting 6 May. However, both sides accused each other of breaching the ceasefire shortly before its implementation. The Russian defense ministry claimed Ukraine was targeting civilian areas near the Kursk and Belgorod regions, prompting a “mirror response” from Moscow. Meanwhile, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that approximately 20 drones had been downed near the city in the first two hours of the ceasefire. Ukraine’s emergency services also reported significant activity during the ceasefire, with Zelensky stating that over 140 attacks had occurred on Ukrainian positions in the first few hours. He warned that his country would “act in kind” against any violations. The ceasefire’s effectiveness remains uncertain, as both nations continue to accuse each other of undermining the agreement. The ceasefire comes amid heightened security measures for Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. Moscow and St.#donald_trump #vladimir_putin #volodymyr_zelensky #sergey_sobyanin #dmitry_peskov
