An oil depot in the Russian region of Tambov caught fire early Friday morning following a drone attack by Ukraine, according to regional governor Maxim Egorov. The incident occurred at 4:35 a.m. local time, and while the fire was quickly localized, there were no casualties reported. This attack is part of a broader pattern of Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure in retaliation for ongoing Russian offensives.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not report the Tambov attack but claimed to have intercepted 25 Ukrainian explosive drones overnight. Additionally, the governor of the Bryansk region, Alexandre Bogomaz, mentioned that a drone had been shot down, causing partial damage to an administration building's roof.
Ukraine has been under Russian assault for over two years and has frequently responded by targeting Russian regions, particularly energy sites and military operation centers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to bring the conflict to Russian soil in response to numerous bombings by Russian forces on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
In related developments, the Ukrainian General Staff reported significant Russian losses, including around 1,260 soldiers killed or injured in a single day. The conflict has seen high casualties and extensive damage to military equipment on both sides.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected in Brussels for political talks aimed at securing a new agreement on security cooperation between Ukraine and the EU. This agreement is intended to bridge the gap until Ukraine can join NATO.
In response to the ongoing conflict, Russia has been conducting military exercises in the Mediterranean. The Russian Navy's guided missile cruiser 'Varyag' is set to carry out simulated battles involving drone attacks and submarines. This move is part of Russia's broader strategy to demonstrate its military capabilities amidst the Ukraine war.
- Putin's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has voiced complaints about 'Russophobic' attitudes in the context of the Ukraine war. He suggested that Moscow might worsen diplomatic relations with certain Western countries if these attitudes persist.
- Ryabkov also highlighted President Vladimir Putin's reassessment of the Russian nuclear doctrine, which is described as strictly defensive. Putin has previously warned that the danger of nuclear war is 'real,' particularly in scenarios involving weapons of mass destruction or significant threats to the state's existence.
- Interactive maps of the front lines in the Ukraine war reveal the areas where Russian troops have advanced and where Ukrainian forces have successfully pushed back Russian attacks. These maps provide a detailed overview of the ongoing developments in the conflict.
