The President reported this in his official address following a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff.

He emphasized that the international community must increase sanction pressure on Moscow so that the aggressor feels full responsibility for its crimes. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine will provide a fair response to every strike. On Telegram, he noted that the occupiers deliberately accumulated resources to maximize complications for Ukrainian air defenses.

“I have instructed the Ukrainian Defense Forces and special services to propose possible formats for our response to this Russian strike,” Zelenskyy stated.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X that Ukraine is initiating an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council. Furthermore, the diplomat called on world leaders for decisive actions in response to the killings of Ukrainians.

“I instructed to immediately convene a meeting of the UN Security Council and use other international platforms to respond to Russia’s killings of Ukrainian civilians and attacks against humanitarian personnel,” the Foreign Minister noted.

Consequences of the massive assault on Ukraine

The Russian army employed a combined strike tactic using kamikaze drones and ballistic missiles. Air defense forces demonstrated high efficiency, intercepting 94% of drones and 73% of missiles. However, protecting against ballistics remains the most difficult challenge for covering cities and infrastructure. Kyiv suffered the greatest destruction, where a Russian missile almost destroyed the entrance of a nine-story building. Currently, 9 deaths are confirmed in the capital, including a 12-year-old girl, while dozens more sustained injuries. Rescuers continue to search for approximately 20 people who are officially missing under the rubble.

Previously, The Ukrainian Review reported that Russia attacked Ukraine overnight after launching nearly 800 drones during the day: fatalities reported.

The post Zelenskyy Orders Response to Russia’s Massive Two-Day Aerial Terror appeared first on The Ukrainian Review.

LSM reported that the political crisis intensified after the liberal “Progressives” party withdrew its support for the Prime Minister.

Siliņa submitted her resignation to the Saeima and criticized her partners for avoiding responsibility during a difficult period for the state.

“Today I took a difficult but honest decision – to resign from the post of Prime Minister… I thank everyone who trusted me, cooperated, and also reasonably criticized. I am resigning, but I am not giving up. And I am not leaving,” she stated during a press briefing.

Consequently, corruption investigations in the timber industry accelerated the government’s downfall. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (KNAB) detained Agriculture Minister Armands Krauze and Head of the State Chancellery Raivis Kronbergs. According to Delfi, Siliņa dismissed Krauze immediately before her own resignation announcement. Meanwhile, the opposition planned to force a no-confidence vote using specific parliamentary procedures to bypass the standard five-day waiting period. This pressure forced the Prime Minister to act preemptively by holding a separate conference at the government building instead of addressing the Saeima.

Security crisis and Russian drones

In early May, two Russian drones violated Latvian airspace and crashed near the town of Rēzekne. One of the devices hit an oil depot located 40 kilometers from the Russian border. Reports later confirmed that the drones appeared due to the activity of Russian electronic warfare systems. Consequently, Defense Minister Andris Sprūds resigned on May 11, accepting responsibility for the delayed deployment of anti-drone defense systems.

Therefore, President Edgars Rinkēvičs will now begin urgent consultations with all parliamentary factions. The head of state emphasized that Latvia cannot afford a political vacuum or destabilization during the ongoing full-scale war in the region. The current Cabinet will serve as a caretaker government until the Saeima approves a new administration. The President expects political forces to present clear priorities for national security and defense before the next elections.

Previously, The Ukrainian Review reported that two drones crashed in Latvia near the Rēzekne oil depot.

The post Latvian government resigns amid coalition collapse and drone incidents appeared first on The Ukrainian Review.

Advisor to the Minister of Defense Serhii Sternenko reported this development.

He published satellite imagery showing protective screens over two Borei- and Borei-A-class nuclear-powered submarines.

Sternenko noted:

“After Operation Web, the Russians began protecting nuclear submarines from drones 7,000 km from Ukraine”.

The Rybachiy base serves as the primary hub for the Russian Pacific Fleet’s nuclear submarines, from which they depart on long-range patrols. Each vessel carries 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, forming a vital part of the Kremlin’s nuclear triad. Previously, Russian forces installed metal cages on Grachonok-class patrol boats near the Kerch Bridge.

Impact of Operation Web

Operation Web took place on June 1, 2025, and became the largest attack on Russian strategic aviation. Over a hundred Ukrainian drones equipped with artificial intelligence struck four airbases in the Irkutsk, Murmansk, Ryazan, and Ivanovo regions. The SBU claims the operation disabled 41 aircraft, including Tu-95MS and Tu-160 bombers. NATO designated this mission as the most successful operation against the enemy’s strategic aviation, as these planes are no longer in production.

Destruction of Russian air defenses

The German outlet Der Spiegel reported that the rate of destruction of Russian air defenses has accelerated significantly.

In April 2026, the number of destroyed Tor, Buk, and S-300 systems was twice as high as in October of the previous year. In March alone, Ukraine launched approximately 7,000 drones toward targets inside Russian territory. According to analysts, between March and May 2026, the number of destroyed Russian radars and air defense systems rose to 37 units, creating critical gaps in the aggressor’s defensive shield.

Previously, The Ukrainian Review reported that the General Staff confirms strikes on Russian targets.

The post Russia installs anti-drone nets on nuclear submarines in Kamchatka appeared first on The Ukrainian Review.

Details

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping finished two hours of talks in Beijing on May 14. BBC reported on the meeting. Both the American and Chinese sides spoke optimistically about future relations, despite ongoing disagreements on several issues. These include Taiwan, trade, and the war against Iran. Officials had originally planned the meeting earlier, but they postponed it after the US attack on Iran.

The May 14 meeting became the first in-person meeting between Trump and Xi since the summit in South Korea in October 2025. Later in the evening, Trump is expected to attend a state banquet hosted by China in his honor.

At the opening of the summit, Xi Jinping called for stronger cooperation between the American and Chinese economies. He said China and the United States should act as partners instead of opponents. At the same time, Xi noted that competition between the two countries continues to deepen amid growing global instability.

Trump, meanwhile, said relations between the US and China would now become better than ever before.

Results of the meeting

In a statement, China’s Foreign Ministry said the “biggest common denominator” between China and the United States is preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Because of this, Beijing urged the American side to act carefully when addressing the Taiwan issue.

“The two presidents exchanged views on major international and regional issues, such as the Middle East situation, the Ukraine crisis, and the Korean Peninsula,” the statement said.

During the talks, Xi Jinping stressed that China and the United States share more common interests than differences. According to him, success in one country creates opportunities for the other. He also said stable US-China relations benefit the entire world.

“China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. We should be partners, not rivals,” Xi stated.

Donald Trump praised Xi during the meeting and called him a great leader. The US president added that he was willing to say this regardless of criticism from others.

“It’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before,” Trump said.

In the end, both sides agreed they should improve communication in the political, diplomatic, and military spheres. Xi also said the US and China should expand exchanges and cooperation in areas such as trade, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, people-to-people relations, and law enforcement.

Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that the United States introduced sanctions under the “Economic Fury” campaign against companies supplying Iran with weapons and components for Shahed drones. The sanctions target companies in the Middle East, as well as in Asia and Eastern Europe.

The post Trump and Xi Jinping agree to strengthen relations during talks in Beijing appeared first on The Ukrainian Review.

Russian forces launched a combined overnight attack on Ukraine on May 14. Kyiv became the main target of the strike. At least 31 people were injured there. Russia killed three people.

Details

According to the Ukrainian Air Force report published at 08:00 on May 14, Ukrainian air defense forces managed to shoot down or suppress 41 missiles and 652 drones overnight. Earlier that day, Russia had already launched nearly 800 attack drones against Ukraine. Later, after the massive daytime assault, Russian forces continued attacking throughout the night.

Kyiv was the primary direction of the strike. Overall, Ukraine’s Air Force radio engineering troops detected 731 aerial attack weapons. Russia launched 56 missiles and 675 drones, including:

• 3 Kh-47 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles launched from Russia’s Lipetsk region;
• 18 Iskander-M and S-400 ballistic missiles launched from Bryansk and Kursk regions;
• 35 Kh-101 cruise missiles launched from Russia’s Vologda region;
• 675 attack drones, including Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas UAVs, two “Banderol” loitering munitions, as well as “Parodiya” decoy drones launched from multiple directions in Russia and from occupied Crimea.

Authorities recorded impacts at 24 locations. The strikes involved 15 missiles and 23 attack drones. In addition, debris from intercepted drones fell in 18 locations. The Air Force also warned that the attack was ongoing, as new groups of drones continued entering Ukrainian airspace.

Kyiv

According to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service in Kyiv region, there were confirmed at least 31 injured people as of 07:30. Among them was one child. Russia killed at least three people (SES of Kyiv region, 10:00).

Russian strikes damaged residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in several districts of Kyiv. In particular, one missile hit a residential high-rise building. Emergency services also reported fires involving cars and residential buildings.

In addition, drone debris fell on a residential building, a gas station, open areas, roads, a parking lot, and a business center. Medical teams continue providing assistance to the injured.

Other regions

As of 22:28 on May 13, Suspilne reported that Russia killed at least 14 people during its massive attacks throughout the day. More than 80 others suffered injuries.

Russian forces attacked Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Rivne, Sumy, Cherkasy, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, and Vinnytsia regions. Moreover, western Ukrainian regions also came under attack, including Volyn, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. In Zakarpattia region, officials recorded the largest drone attack since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Russia continued attacking some regions overnight as well. Authorities reported injuries both in regional centers and nearby districts.

Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that during the night of May 13, Russian forces launched another massive drone attack against Ukraine. The Dnipropetrovsk region suffered the heaviest losses, where strikes killed eight people and injured eleven others.

The post Russia attacked Ukraine overnight after launching nearly 800 drones during the day: fatalities reported appeared first on The Ukrainian Review.

Zelenskyy reported this on Telegram.

Details

According to the Ukrainian president, he and the Lithuanian leader focused primarily on defence cooperation. Ukraine and Lithuania agreed to cooperate under the Drone Deal format — a bilateral agreement aimed at strengthening the defence capabilities of both countries.

Zelenskyy said a Ukrainian military expert team would work in Lithuania on developing modern security capabilities. The initiative will focus on countering new threats and strengthening regional security.

“We appreciate Lithuania’s principled support and its readiness to strengthen defence and make it truly capable of responding to any Russian attacks. I am also grateful to Gitanas Nausėda for his clear position on our European integration: all six negotiation clusters for Ukraine must be opened,” the president wrote.

Zelenskyy also reported on his meeting with Polish President Karol Nawrocki. During the talks, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and agreed to continue strengthening cooperation between their countries.

The Ukrainian president also briefed his Polish counterpart on Kyiv’s diplomatic efforts. He stressed the importance of unity between Europe and the United States in supporting Ukraine.

“We are grateful to Poland and the Polish people for all their support during the full-scale Russian aggression. The president confirmed that support for Ukraine will continue. We value this and our constructive dialogue.”

Context

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Romania on May 13 to take part in the Bucharest Nine summit. The format brings together leaders of NATO’s eastern flank countries — Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. The group was established in 2015 to strengthen regional security.

Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed six agreements with Azerbaijan in various sectors during a visit on April 25.

The post Zelenskyy holds talks with Lithuanian and Polish leaders in Romania appeared first on The Ukrainian Review.

Main Problems for each Business

A January 2026 survey conducted by the European Business Association among 79 member companies found that 80% of respondents felt the impact of power outages, yet most adapted through energy autonomy.

Alternative energy sources that can be installed quickly are far more expensive than conventional ones and require additional knowledge and effort to implement. During peak periods, there is also a physical shortage of the necessary equipment on the market. Whenever the crisis intensifies again, prices for alternative power sources double or even triple, while high demand makes them difficult to obtain even through imports. Therefore, preparation may save both time and resources.

According to the Unified State Register, more than 250,000 sole proprietorships closed in Ukraine during the first 11 months of 2025. This reflects the overall condition of Ukraine’s small businesses and their fragility, but the energy crisis is also a component, as some of the companies haven`t returned to the market when the situation improved. Using a generator increases electricity costs by four to five times. As the State Customs Service reported, in January 2026, 13.6 tonnes of electric batteries worth 10.4 billion hryvnias were imported into Ukraine, representing a 109% increase on the figure for January 2025. China has become the main supplier of energy resources (91%).

Stronger Year by Year

However, Ukrainian businesses have also shown resilience. In 2022, after the first attacks on the energy system, the Business Activity Expectations Index, calculated by the National Bank of Ukraine, fell drastically below the neutral level of 50. The average PMI for autumn–winter 2022 stood at 43.9. In September 2022, the index was 46.1, up from 44.1 in August. A sharp decline began in October.

By comparison, the average index for autumn–winter 2025 stood at 49.8, nearly reaching the neutral level.

In 2025, Ukraine’s real GDP grew by 1.8% compared with 2024. According to calculations by the National Bank, the energy crisis reduced potential GDP by around 0.2%. While this may appear insignificant, in labour terms it corresponds to approximately 15,000–25,000 person-years of productive work. For a wartime economy, every percentage matters significantly.

Ukraine`s economy was more or less stable because of a good harvest, which helped keep prices for several goods. However, the energy crisis slowed the decline of inflation.

Small Businesses

Fuel generators remain among the easiest solutions for small businesses in terms of both effort and speed. In the context of the energy sources crisis caused by instability around the Strait of Hormuz, this option may become even more expensive the following season. Moreover, businesses need qualified specialists to explain how to properly use alternative energy sources.

The problems are getting worse with each passing winter. For example, after the first attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in 2022, turnover in the catering sector fell by 8%. However, the winter 2025-26 has been so far the most devastating. After conditions improved in spring, some businesses returned to the market despite the gloomy forecasts, while others did not.

Meal prices during the difficult period include the cost of alternative energy. Menus were also adapted to products that require less demanding storage conditions, but this is not a one-size-fits-all solution. For example, small bakeries located in cities often cannot use loud devices early in the morning because the noise disturbs nearby residents.  Generators often exceed 70 dB, while legislation was not prepared for such use, so the restrictions were observed. Prices for goods and services need to rise because of higher operational costs, yet regulations often restrict price increases in order to protect consumers.

Julia Usenko, energy expert, the Chair of All-Ukrainian Agency for Investment and Sustainable Development, notes for The Ukrainian Review,  that the main impact is on production costs, which are rising by up to 30% or more due to the use of additional power sources and logistical disruptions. Businesses also face risks linked to low-quality equipment purchases, particularly gasoline generators, which require additional maintenance costs:

“Unstable operations amid constant power outages often lead to forced downtime and delays in product delivery or service provision. At the same time, power surges caused by grid overloads can damage equipment and disrupt business operations. As a result, businesses lose not only revenue but also their market position and, consequently, time spent searching for new customers”.

Big Industries

Despite the scarcity and costs, technically small alternative power sources can be installed relatively quickly. However, for large factories, building such energy capacities requires years and enormous investments. Middle-sized and large companies are also affected, although this issue often remains less visible in the media. One of the biggest energy-consuming sectors is mining. According to the GMK Center, the mining and metallurgy sector accounted for around 5.5% of Ukraine’s GDP in 2025, remaining one of the foundations of the economy.

Metallurgical production in January 2026 fell by 15–25% month-on-month, which directly affected export capacity. At the same time, the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), effectively a cross-border carbon tax on imports with a high carbon footprint, entered into force for Ukrainian companies in 2026, making the situation even more complicated.

What Should Businesses Do

Julia Usenko notes that businesses should replace equipment with models rated at least A+. According to EU standards, class A appliances are the most energy-efficient.

She shares what advice they have for businesses:

Hybrid systems are the most effective solution. For small and medium-sized businesses (coffee shops, mini-bakeries, etc.), inverter systems with LiFePO4 batteries are the top choice—they are quiet, eco-friendly, and do not require fuel. However, during longer power outages, the system will not have enough time to recharge. Similarly, during the winter, the energy generated and stored by hybrid solar systems may not be sufficient. In such cases, a backup power source is required, such as an inverter generator.

Large industrial enterprises can take advantage of the option to switch to imported electricity, which allows them to officially avoid planned restrictions. At the same time, given the constant shelling of the power grid, one must account for the risks of situations where it may be physically impossible to deliver electricity, even when contracted through imported supplies. Therefore, securing priority needs with autonomous power generation sources is always a relevant measure for any business.

Thus, investing in energy efficiency and energy autonomy today is not merely an expense for electricity. It is an investment in business resilience—its ability to operate when competitors grind to a halt”.

The image of businesses is also being shaped by the crisis. Consumers notice which businesses continue functioning during blackouts and often reward them with loyalty.

Defense Sector

The possibility of direct missile strikes on defence industry capacities remains the greatest threat, but electricity shortages are also dangerous. Contract conditions are strict. Delays in production lead to financial penalties, while Ukrainian defenders urgently need the weapons being produced.

In general, Ukrainian businesses across all sectors remain active supporters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Their contribution goes far beyond taxes and includes donations, fundraising initiatives, and humanitarian support. Therefore, the energy crisis also weakens their ability to continue providing charity to both defenders and civilians.

Another side effect for the military is the high price and shortage of alternative energy sources during the peaks of crises, which are often the only available option near the battlefield.

The Role of Government

The government introduced different support programs for communities and businesses. It allocated UAH 2.5 billion for generators for local communities and UAH 800 million for apartment buildings. Also, the government increased the maximum size of investment loans for enterprises under the “5-7-9” program to UAH 250 million to support distributed generation projects, while grants of UAH 7,500–15,000 were introduced for generators for private entrepreneurs.

However, access to loans remains complicated. To receive support, businesses still need reserves and cannot already be deeply unprofitable. Another obstacle is proximity to the frontline, which significantly increases risks. At the same time, business closures mean more unemployment and potentially further migration to other cities.

International assistance

Many countries responded quickly to Russian attacks by sending humanitarian assistance. Some companies also received direct financial support. For example, Naftogaz got an €85 million grant from Norway and a €50 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for gas imports.

One of the key messages repeatedly voiced during the German-Ukrainian Energy Day was that businesses must become more involved in Ukraine’s energy reconstruction, as governments alone cannot fully restore capacities. State incentives should focus more on long-term solutions such as solar panels, wind plants, and biogas rather than only generators, which became the fastest but most temporary response.

Existing Restrictions for Investments

Daniel Sosa Marquina, an Energy and Climate Policy Analyst at Berlin Economics, notes that risk of physical destruction and business interruption increases the overall risk profile of energy projects and discourages urgently needed investment:

“Public de-risking instruments are playing an increasingly important role in sustaining capital flows into Ukraine’s energy sector, but several challenges remain.

At the domestic level, Ukraine introduced pilot state-backed war risk insurance for direct investments and investment loans. However, fiscal constraints mean its scope remains limited: compensation is capped at approximately EUR 200,000 per business group and coverage is restricted to export-oriented facilities, leaving most energy infrastructure outside its reach.

International institutions are thus crucial to de-risk investments in the energy sector. The EU’s Ukraine Investment Framework (UIF) is the largest single vehicle for channelling risk-mitigated capital into Ukraine’s recovery, with energy explicitly among its priority sectors but not focussing on risks of war damages. Beyond the UIF, several other financial institutions play a crucial complementary role. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC) are providing political risk insurance that extend the overall support available to energy investors. 

Their reach, however, remains uneven. In general, the guarantees form these institutions tend to favour larger, bankable projects with creditworthy offtakers, leaving smaller emergency repair investments largely outside their scope. The German Federal Investment Guarantee partially fills this gap. It provides guarantees against war risks for any size of investors. In 2025 alone, investment projects of EUR 258 million were insured, of which EUR 70 million was allocated to the energy sector.

He noted that, in the short term, a priority was to expand the coverage terms of existing guarantee schemes. Daniel Sosa Marquina explained that instruments such as the German federal guarantee scheme currently insured only against direct war damage and did not cover business interruption risks resulting from that damage. According to him, this gap was especially consequential for the energy sector, where the physical destruction of a single asset could lead to prolonged revenue losses.

He also stressed that, in the longer term, attracting sustained investment would depend on parallel structural reforms, particularly those aimed at strengthening tariff reliability, regulatory stability, and market-based pricing. He added that this  were essential to ensure that de-risking instruments gradually supported the emergence of a self-sustaining investment environment.

Conclusion

The energy crisis significantly affected Ukraine’s economy, but it did not destroy it as the enemy wanted. The vulnerability of the system once again demonstrated the importance of strategic solutions, especially when the situation repeats itself each season since the full-scale invasion. One conclusion remains clear: air defence is still the best form of protection against the economic consequences of attacks, yet diversification of energy sources is unavoidable. Businesses need to think about alternatives in advance, while governments and international partners should provide investments, stronger cooperation mechanisms, clearer loan conditions, and better risk-mitigation tools.

The post Business and Blackouts: Lessons From the Last Winter and Perspectives appeared first on The Ukrainian Review.

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this.

Details

According to the military, Ukrainian forces struck the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal in the settlement of Volna in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai. A fire broke out at the facility after the attack. Officials are still assessing the extent of the damage.

The General Staff said Tamanneftegaz is one of Russia’s key oil terminals on the Black Sea coast. The facility handles shipments of oil, diesel fuel, fuel oil, and liquefied gases. Russian occupation forces also use it for fuel supplies.

In addition, on May 13, Ukraine’s Defence Forces struck AVT primary oil refining units at the Yaroslavl oil refinery. The plant produces gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation fuel that support Russian military logistics.

The General Staff also confirmed a strike on infrastructure at the Astrakhan gas processing plant. A fire broke out at the facility after the attack. Ukrainian military officials stressed that the plant plays an important role in Russia’s fuel and gas transportation system and supports the country’s military-industrial complex.

At the same time, Ukrainian forces struck several military targets in occupied territories and Russian border regions. The attacks hit Russian command and observation posts near Staromlynivka, Soledar, and Komyshuvakha in Donetsk region, as well as a drone control center in Myrne.

In addition, Ukraine’s Defence Forces attacked areas where Russian troops had concentrated personnel in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Sumy regions, as well as in Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions.

Context

In recent months, Ukrainian long-range drones have regularly targeted Russia’s oil, energy, and military-industrial infrastructure. The main targets include oil refineries, fuel storage facilities, logistics hubs, and enterprises that supply the Russian army with fuel.

Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that several regions of Russia and occupied Crimea came under a massive drone attack during the night and morning of May 8.

The post General Staff confirms strikes on Russian targets appeared first on The Ukrainian Review.

Financial Times reports this, citing sources familiar with internal discussions in the Kremlin.

Details

According to the report, Russia’s military leadership assured Putin that occupation forces could complete the capture of Donbas within the next few months. The Kremlin views these possible advances as leverage against Ukraine and the West during future negotiations.

During closed-door discussions, Putin reportedly claimed that the war was “approaching its conclusion” and that Ukrainian resistance was weakening. At the same time, sources told FT that the Russian leader has become increasingly uncompromising in his demands. He is unwilling to accept even a freeze of the frontline along the current line of contact.

Ukrainian intelligence warns that Donbas may only serve as an intermediate objective for the Kremlin. Deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency HUR, Vadym Skibitskyi, said Moscow could later put forward additional demands regarding Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

FT also reported that the Kremlin is losing faith in negotiations mediated by the United States and is increasingly relying on military pressure instead. Sources cited by the newspaper named Odesa and even Kyiv among Russia’s potential future targets.

At the same time, Ukrainian officials interviewed by the journalists said the negotiation process had effectively reached a deadlock. Kyiv believes Washington failed to pressure Moscow into softening its demands. Ukrainian officials also said the country now feels more confident due to its ability to slow the Russian offensive and conduct drone strikes against rear military targets inside Russia.

Despite statements by Donald Trump about a possible peace deal drawing closer, FT noted that neither Kyiv nor Moscow currently shows genuine readiness for compromise.

Context

Ukraine and Russia previously agreed to a three-day ceasefire for May 9–11 through US mediation. The arrangement included a partial halt in hostilities and prisoner exchanges. However, despite the ceasefire agreement, Russia launched missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on May 9.

After the end of the “three-day ceasefire,” Russian forces carried out another massive drone attack on Ukraine. Explosions were reported in Kyiv and the surrounding region, as well as in Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr regions. Russia launched more than 200 drones in total.

Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that Kremlin political strategists had developed a special information campaign designed to convince Russian society to view a potential peace agreement with Ukraine as a “victory” for Russia.

The post Putin expects to capture Donbas by fall and tighten demands on Ukraine appeared first on The Ukrainian Review.

Governor Mikhail Evraev, the outlet Astra, and Russian regional Telegram channels reported the incidents.

Fire at the Nurlino Oil Pumping Station Near Ufa

A major fire broke out in Bashkortostan at the Nurlino linear production and dispatch station operated by Transneft. The facility is located near the city of Ufa and serves as one of the key hubs in Russia’s main oil pipeline system.

Witnesses reported thick black smoke visible dozens of kilometers away from the industrial zone. Officials did not name the cause of the fire. At the same time, Russian monitoring channels claimed authorities had not declared an air raid alert in the region.

The station transports oil from Western Siberia and the Urals to central and southern Russian regions. It also supports export infrastructure on the Black Sea.

Attack on an Industrial Facility in Yaroslavl Region

Governor Mikhail Evraev said drones attacked an industrial facility in Yaroslavl region. According to him, drone debris fell onto the territory of the enterprise while Russian air defence and electronic warfare systems were operating.

Russian authorities did not identify the facility. However, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly targeted the Slavneft-YANOS refinery in Yaroslavl in the past. It is one of the largest oil refineries in central Russia.

Fire at the Tank Farm in the Port of Taman

In Krasnodar region, drones attacked the territory of the port of Taman. The strike caused a fire in the tank farm area.

NASA’s FIRMS satellite monitoring service detected the fire before Russian authorities issued official statements. The fire hotspot appeared near oil storage tanks close to railway infrastructure.

The port of Taman serves as one of the key logistics hubs for Russia’s fuel and energy sector on the Black Sea. Through the Tamanneftegaz terminal, Russia exports oil and petroleum products. The facility also supports logistics operations near the Crimean Bridge and occupied Crimea.

Context

In recent months, Ukrainian long-range drones have repeatedly targeted Russia’s oil, energy, and military-industrial infrastructure. Key targets include refineries, tank farms, logistics hubs, and facilities supplying fuel to the Russian military.

Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that several regions of Russia and occupied Crimea came under a massive drone attack during the night and morning of May 8.

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