Ukraine Strikes Two More Wildberries Warehouses
Ukraine has attacked two more warehouses of Russian online retailer Wildberries, the company boss said on Wednesday. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine struck logistics hubs in Russia's Krasnodar and Stavropol regions involved in supplying the Russian military with drone components and other equipment. Tatyana Kim, co-founder and head of Wildberries, confirmed a warehouse was attacked in Krasnodar and another in Nevinnomyssk, Stavropol. In Krasnodar, the regional governor reported a young woman was killed and three others hospitalized.
Escalation of Deep Strikes
The attacks on massive Wildberries warehouses mark a new stage in Ukraine's campaign of deep strikes inside Russia, whose military has targeted Ukraine's logistics hubs, energy system, and power grid. Ukraine insists it is hitting companies and infrastructure that support the Russian military. A Russian e-commerce lobby group, Aurek, said it asked the government to delay tax payments for half a year for businesses that sustained losses from the Wildberries attacks.
New Military Commander's Objectives
Coinciding with the strikes, Mykhailo Drapatyi, Ukraine's new top military commander, said he had been tasked with stepping up counteroffensive actions and launching new operations inside Russia. “The president of Ukraine has set clear objectives for us: to continue and intensify offensive operations in all domains, to plan new operations behind enemy lines, to develop our military and its technologies, and to build up the capabilities of the armed forces of Ukraine,” Drapatyi said. His appointment has commanded near-universal support across Ukraine's political, military, and civil society circles, according to Pjotr Sauer.
Political Turmoil in Kyiv
Zelenskyy has come under sustained pressure to reinstate Mykhailo Fedorov, whose removal as defence minister cascaded into the sacking of Oleksandr Syrskyi as Ukraine's top general and the appointment of Drapatyi. Protesters are organizing a demonstration on Friday outside Zelenskyy's office, and Ukraine's political crisis is likely to continue, writes Luke Harding.
Russian Attacks on Energy Infrastructure
A Russian attack damaged an energy facility in Ukraine's northern Chernihiv region, leaving more than 100,000 consumers without power, a regional electricity distribution company said. Repair work will begin as soon as the security situation allows.
EU Actions Against Russian Shadow Fleet
The MV South Star oil tanker was boarded by European Union forces after being suspected of sailing under a false flag in breach of international maritime law, said Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat. The move aimed to target Russia's “shadow fleet” carrying sanctioned Russian oil. Russia's defence ministry said its forces struck Odesa and Chornomorsk, hitting port infrastructure and vessels supporting the Ukrainian military, as well as warehouses storing drones. Reuters could not independently verify the Russian statement.
EU Sanctions and Oil Price Cap
The EU pushed on Wednesday to overcome an objection from Greece and agree a new round of sanctions on Russia to limit its fossil fuel revenues. Athens is pushing for the bloc to allow one of its firms to continue transporting LNG from Russia's Arctic Yamal facility to non-EU clients. The 27 member states struck a temporary compromise to maintain a price cap on Russian oil at $44 for a week. Brussels wants to fix the cap for several more months to stop Russia benefiting from price hikes caused by the Middle East war.
Diplomatic Talks with US Envoys
Zelenskyy said he spoke with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Wednesday. The Trump interlocutors have repeatedly visited Russia to listen to Vladimir Putin but not Ukraine. Both the Ukrainian president and the White House confirmed the conversation. Zelenskyy said: “It was a good, important conversation on how to reinvigorate diplomacy and bring peace closer. Peace is needed – peace with dignity, and Ukraine has long been ready for it.” He also met US ambassador to Nato, Matthew Whitaker, in Kyiv and discussed licences for Ukraine to make Patriot air defence systems. “Production licences, missiles and everything else that is needed. I am, frankly, asking for faster action and greater support,” Zelenskyy said.
