Ukraine Launches Major Strikes on Russian Oil Infrastructure
On Sunday, Ukraine executed a wave of strikes targeting Russian oil facilities, notably the key Baltic Sea port of Primorsk and three vessels allegedly used to transport Russian crude illegally. A night-time drone assault ignited a fire at the Primorsk port, according to the Russian regional governor. The port, operated by state-owned Transneft, has a capacity of hundreds of thousands of barrels per day and has been struck multiple times in March. Located over 1,000 kilometers from Ukraine, near the Finnish border and St Petersburg, the port is a critical node in Russia's oil export network.
Zelenskyy Confirms Hits on Military and Shadow Fleet Vessels
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the operation against Primorsk also successfully targeted a Karakurt-class guided missile corvette, a patrol boat, and a tanker belonging to Russia's shadow oil fleet—a network used to evade Western sanctions and price caps. "One more Russian carrier of Kalibr missiles is out of action," Zelenskyy stated. Additionally, Ukrainian forces struck two more shadow fleet tankers near the entrance of the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.
Russian Drone Attacks on Southern Ukraine
In response, Russian drones struck Ukraine's southern Odesa region overnight, killing two and wounding three others, as reported by the Ukrainian emergency service. The attack damaged three residential buildings and port infrastructure, sparking a fire that was later extinguished. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, six people were wounded, and a bus carrying 40 children was damaged, though no children were injured. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 269 drones and ballistic missiles, with 249 drones countered or shot down, while hits from ballistic missiles and 19 drones were recorded across 15 locations.
Drone Strike Kills Elderly Man Near Moscow
A Ukrainian drone strike west of Moscow killed a 77-year-old man near Volokolamsk, about 120 kilometers from the capital, the local governor confirmed. Six drones were downed in the Moscow region, and at least five more were intercepted on approach to Moscow, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Ukraine also reported one death in the Kherson region and another in Dnipro. Russian forces continue to advance toward Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region, Ukraine's top army official said on Saturday.
Diplomatic Moves and International Support
Zelenskyy thanked King Charles for his "strong words" on Ukraine's defense during the monarch's state visit to the US. The Ukrainian president, meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Armenia, conveyed gratitude for the King's speech to Congress emphasizing NATO and support for Kyiv. Britain is set to join the EU loan scheme for Ukraine, with Starmer expected to announce at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan that the UK will collaborate with the EU to provide vital military equipment. The UK will also impose new sanctions on Russian companies to disrupt military supply chains. Zelenskyy offered to strengthen ties with Finland through a drone deal, sharing technology and combat expertise developed during the war.
