Kyiv’s drone attack teams launch devastating blitz on Russia’s oil supplies in killer blow to Kremlin warplanes after another week of bloody bomb attacks on Ukraine’s cities
Ukraine has launched fresh devastating long-range drone attacks on Russian oil installations in a bid to smash Russia’s fuel supplies to its warplanes.
The latest Kyiv drone hit today was on Novokuybyshevsk oil refinery which produces jet fuel used in Kremlin Su-27 fighters and Tu-22M3 supersonic bombers. The distance from the nearest Ukrainian border to the oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region is almost 600 miles. It comes amid hints that US President Donald Trump may reverse his blocking of vital American intelligence being shared with Ukrainian forces.
Strikes on the Russian refinery were launched at 2am local time and were heard across multiple districts of the city. Witnesses reported a series of major explosions at the refinery and noted that protective nets meant to shield the facility from drone attacks had not yet been fully installed. The Russian Telegram channel Astra also reported that Ukrainian drones also targeted oil refineries in Lipetsk and Ryazan oblasts.
Ukraine has labelled Russian oil facilities valid targets as Moscow’s war coffers are being refilled with profits from fossil fuel deals. The Ukrainian military has launched repeated attacks against Russian refineries with long-range drones since 2022. Donald Trump has reportedly suggested that the pause on sharing military intelligence ahead of talks between the two countries in the coming days.
Relations between Washington and Kyiv have been strained in recent weeks after an Oval office clash between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. Military aid to Ukraine has also been suspended. Speaking to reporters, Mr Trump said “we just about have” when asked if he would end the pause. It comes as the UK’s national security adviser has been in Kyiv for talks over the weekend with top officials ahead of ceasefire talks between Ukrainian and American officials.
Jonathan Powell met Andriy Yermak, head of the office of the president in Ukraine. In a post on X, Mr Yermak said that they “exchanged views on key issues on the path to achieving peace”. Mr Trump told reporters “we’re going to make a lot of progress” during the talks. Attacks on Ukraine by Russia continued through the weekend, with Mr Zelensky claiming that there have been “hundreds” throughout the week.
The diplomatic push on securing a peace deal in the war between Russia and Ukraine will continue this week. Meanwhile, European defence ministers including the UK’s John Healey are expected to meet in Paris later in the week. Last week, Mr Zelensky said that he is “ready to work” under the US president’s leadership. But Trump continued his criticisms of the Ukrainian leader on Sunday, saying that Ukraine was able to take money out of the US “under Biden like candy from a baby”.
He also suggested Mr Zelensky is not grateful for US help. Speaking to Fox News in an interview on Sunday and referring to Mr Zelensky, the US president said: “It was like taking candy from a baby what he did. He’s a smart guy and he’s a tough guy and he took money out of this country under Biden like candy from a baby. It was so easy.” Mr Trump added: “I just don’t think he’s grateful.”
