In Ukraine’s largest-ever kamikaze drone attack on Russia, 51 UAVs were destroyed and intercepted over Crimea, 44 over the Krasnodar region, six over the Belgorod region, and one over the Kursk region. The attack resulted in two deaths and an oil refinery fire in the Black Sea. The Tuapse refinery, which supplies fuel to several countries, was damaged in the attack. Despite Russia’s increased pressure on Kharkiv with renewed offensives, President Putin claimed he does not intend to take the city and instead blamed Ukraine for the attacks.
Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev announced the cancellation of classes in schools and blackouts as the region struggled with the aftermath of Ukraine’s attack. The attack on the Tuapse refinery came after several months of repair following a previous fire in January, also reportedly caused by a drone attack from Ukraine. Putin visited China to seek support and emphasize the partnership between the two countries. He blamed Ukraine for the conflicts in Kharkiv and emphasized the importance of the Moscow-Beijing partnership in shaping the “emerging multipolar world.”
Ukraine pushed back a Russian incursion into Kharkiv, prompting White House spokesperson John Kirby to warn of potential increased intensity in fires and troop deployments in the region in the coming weeks. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy admitted that Russian forces had advanced six miles into the Kharkiv region, leading Kyiv to expand its operations to prevent further penetration towards the second-biggest city in the country. The situation in Ukraine remains tense as both sides continue to engage in conflicts and skirmishes.
Overall, tensions between Ukraine and Russia remain high, with both countries engaging in attacks and offensives in various regions. The recent kamikaze drone attack by Ukraine on Russia resulted in casualties and damage to an oil refinery in the Black Sea. President Putin’s visit to China to seek support and strengthen the partnership between the two countries further highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region. The ongoing conflicts in Kharkiv and surrounding areas continue to escalate, with the potential for further intensification of hostilities in the coming weeks. The global community closely watches as the situation in Ukraine unfolds.
