In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia has launched a massive overnight attack on Ukraine's southern and central regions, with Ukrainian forces retaliating by striking Russian oil refineries.
Authorities reported one woman killed and 28 injured, including three children, in the Zaporizhzhia region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed that Moscow deployed over 500 drones and 45 missiles targeting 14 regions across the country.
In response to the onslaught, Russia's defense ministry declared that all targeted objectives had been successfully struck. This escalation is compounded by ongoing international diplomatic efforts to secure peace, shortly after Ukraine endured its second-largest aerial assault this war, which resulted in at least 23 fatalities on Thursday.
The Dnipropetrovsk area experienced severe fighting, with Governor Serhiy Lysak urging residents to seek shelter as Russian forces ramped up their attacks for a second consecutive night.
Recent military actions have seen Ukraine targeting Russian oil refineries in Krasnodar and Syzran, which have previously been hit. Ukrainian military officials reported multiple explosions and fires at the facilities.
On the Russian side, authorities confirmed drone strikes had occurred at their oil refinery, causing damage but no reported casualties. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military claimed to have shot down a significant number of drones over Crimea.
President Zelensky commented on Russia's lack of regard for diplomatic negotiations, advocating for increased sanctions from the international community. European foreign ministers convened in Denmark, discussing potential measures, including freezing Russian assets worth approximately €210 billion, as France proposed new sanctions aimed at diminishing Russia's military resources.
