Ukraine Intensifies Attacks on Russian Oil Infrastructure
Ukraine has ramped up its strategic assaults on Russian oil facilities, aiming to undermine Moscow’s fuel supplies for its military and diminish a significant source of revenue for the Kremlin. The latest wave of drone strikes coincided with fierce fighting in Russia’s Kursk region, where Russian forces have been regaining control over areas previously held by Ukraine since the September incursion across the border.
In a further setback for Kyiv, Russian officials announced on Friday that they had successfully recaptured the village of Goncharovka, leaving only a scant few settlements under Ukrainian control. Initially, Ukraine had anticipated leveraging this region as a vital bargaining chip in any prospective peace negotiations with Russia, but six months later, its forces have faced severe losses and have been largely expelled from the area.
Ukrainian Drone Strikes Ignite Massive Blaze at Oil Refinery
Ukrainian drone operations led to a catastrophic blaze at one of Russia’s largest oil refineries overnight. The fire erupted at Rosneft PJSC’s Tuapse refinery on the Black Sea, engulfing an area exceeding 1,000 square meters (10,764 square feet), as reported by regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev via the Telegram messaging app. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and approximately 121 firefighters were deployed to extinguish the flames.
The Tuapse refinery, which boasts a processing capacity of 240,000 barrels per day, primarily focuses on exporting diesel and fuel across the Black Sea to destinations such as China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Turkey. Its geographic proximity to the Ukrainian border has made it a recurrent target for Ukrainian attacks throughout the ongoing conflict.
In another development, Russian air defenses successfully intercepted four drones approaching Moscow, as stated by the city’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin. Again, no injuries were reported in the capital. “Emergency services are currently responding to the site where debris has fallen,” Sobyanin noted on his official Telegram channel. Andrei Vorobyov, governor of the broader Moscow region, confirmed that debris from the downed drones had landed on a construction site and a nearby residential building, with one drone reportedly striking the roof of a multi-storey apartment in western Moscow, according to the RIA news agency.
Throughout the conflict, Ukraine has increasingly relied on drone technology to bolster its defenses. These unmanned combat aerial vehicles have emerged as more cost-effective and efficient alternatives to traditional artillery, with Ukrainian officials claiming that a significant proportion of Russian troops and vehicles are now being targeted by drones.
North Korean Soldiers Deployed in Desperate Attacks
Fighting has escalated in the Kursk region this week, with alarming reports indicating that North Korean soldiers are being deployed by Russia in “suicidal attacks” as part of their efforts to reclaim control over the key border territory. In August, the Ukrainian army shocked Moscow by launching an offensive that seized approximately 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian land. However, after months of mounting pressure from Russian forces, largely backed by North Korean troops, Ukraine now holds only a small fraction of the territory it once claimed.
Describing the tactics employed by North Korean forces, a Ukrainian military officer likened them to a cyber assault aimed at overwhelming targeted defenses with sheer numbers. “[We faced] human waves akin to DDOS (distributed denial of service) attacks on our positions… we managed to eliminate eight out of ten North Koreans,” the senior officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, revealed. “However, in certain areas, our forces were significantly outnumbered, leading to overwhelming casualties on our side.” Many Ukrainian troops who once held positions in Kursk are now retreating following a rapid near-defeat in the city of Sudzha. The Ukrainian army is now urgently working to fortify defensive lines near the border to prevent Russian forces from using Sudzha as a launch point for further incursions into northeastern Ukraine.
Putin’s Conditions for a Ceasefire
On Thursday, Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is open to a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine in principle, but emphasized that the cessation of hostilities cannot occur until several critical conditions are clarified. “We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities,” Putin told reporters at the Kremlin. “The idea itself is sound, and we certainly support it. However, we believe that any cessation must pave the way for a long-lasting peace and address the root causes of this crisis.”
Putin has outlined several demands, including Ukraine’s abandonment of its aspirations to join NATO, Russia’s control over the four Ukrainian regions it claims, and limitations on the size of the Ukrainian military. Additionally, he has made it clear that he wants Western sanctions to be lifted and a presidential election held in Ukraine, a move that Kyiv argues is premature while martial law remains in effect.
In response to Putin’s remarks during his nightly address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed skepticism, suggesting that Putin is preparing to reject the ceasefire proposal while being reluctant to inform Donald Trump. “That’s why in Moscow they are imposing these conditions on the idea of a ceasefire—so that nothing occurs, or so that it cannot happen for as long as possible,” Zelensky stated.
