Ukrainian forces have executed a significant long-range drone strike, hitting a Russian oil installation in the Caspian Sea more than 700 kilometres from the nearest Ukrainian border. The attack marks a continued escalation in Kyiv's campaign against Russian-linked maritime targets far beyond the front lines.
Long-Range Strikes and Frontline Defence
According to Ukraine's military general staff, Ukrainian Liutyi drones struck the Filanovsky oil field in the Caspian Sea on Saturday. The target lies over 435 miles from Ukrainian territory, demonstrating Kyiv's growing reach. The same operation hit the military patrol ship Okhotnik, which was stationed near the platform, along with other facilities. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
In occupied Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, Ukrainian drones also struck a radar system in the Krasnosilske area. Separately, Ukraine's SBU security service claimed the destruction of two Russian fighter jets at an airfield on the peninsula.
On the defensive, Ukrainian forces reported repelling more than 60 Russian attacks in a single day on the heavily besieged city of Pokrovsk. Nationwide, the military stated that Russian forces carried out 42 airstrikes, deployed 101 guided bombs, used 1,684 kamikaze drones, and conducted 2,467 attacks on positions and settlements.
Infrastructure Attacks and Civilian Toll
Russian forces have repeatedly targeted critical infrastructure. Since Thursday, a key bridge on the Dniester River near the village of Mayaky in the Odesa region has been hit at least five times, according to Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. This bridge, a main route westward towards Moldova, is now non-operational. Kuleba noted it had accounted for around 40% of Ukraine's fuel supplies. Authorities have established a pontoon bridge and rerouted logistics.
The human cost continues to rise. The death toll from a recent Russian strike on Pivdennyi port increased to eight. Geneva-based vegetable oil producer Allseeds reported that three of its sunflower oil tanks were set ablaze in the attack, killing one worker and injuring two others. In the Kharkiv region city of Izium, two people were killed by guided bomb strikes.
Russia also reported Ukrainian drone attacks on its Belgorod region and an attack on facilities in the Kursk region that left approximately 5,000 people without power.
Diplomatic Moves: US Proposes Trilateral Talks
Amid the ongoing conflict, a new diplomatic initiative has emerged from Washington. The White House has offered to chair face-to-face talks between officials from the US, Russia, and Ukraine, as the Trump administration seeks a path to a peace deal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the proposal, stating, "America is now proposing a trilateral meeting with national security advisers – America, Ukraine, Russia." He said Ukraine would support the plan if it led to more prisoner exchanges and paved the way for meetings between national leaders.
Zelenskyy emphasised Ukraine's stance, saying, "For me, the fair version is we stand where we are now standing." He reiterated that Ukraine stands against proposals that would require it to cede territory it still controls in the eastern Donbas region.
US negotiators met with Russian officials in Florida on Saturday, following talks with Ukrainian and European officials the previous day. It was suggested that discussions would continue on Sunday, indicating a potential new phase of diplomatic engagement on the 1,397th day of the war.
