Russia Targets Key Oil Refinery Fueling Ukrainian Forces
Russian military officials announced on Sunday that they launched a coordinated attack targeting the Kremenchuk oil refinery located in Ukraine's Poltava region. This refinery is known to supply fuel to Ukrainian troops stationed in the contested Donbas region.
The Defence Ministry of Russia reported that missiles were fired from both sea and air, complemented by strike drones to execute the mission. Russian sources declared the operation successful, although independent verification of the impact remains unavailable, and Ukrainian authorities have yet to respond.
Advances in Donbas and Sumy Regions
Separately, Russia stated its forces had taken control of the village of Malynivka in the Donetsk region—a territory Russia refers to as Ulyanovka. In addition, Russian troops reportedly penetrated deep into Ukrainian defensive lines in the Sumy region, inflicting significant losses on Ukrainian units.
While Donetsk and Luhansk in the east have been formally claimed by Russia, Sumy remains a strategically important area where Russia aims to establish a buffer zone to secure its positions.
Ukrainian Counteroffensive Efforts
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Saturday that Ukrainian forces successfully reclaimed the village of Andriivka in northeastern Sumy. This move is part of a broader campaign to expel Russian troops from occupied territories.
Zelenskiy highlighted that Russian forces have amassed approximately 53,000 troops in the vicinity, signaling preparations for sustained military operations.
Context and Outlook
The eastern Donbas region remains the epicenter of intense conflict, with Russia seeking full control over its entire expanse, while Ukraine strives to regain lost ground through combined military and diplomatic efforts.
For now, the effectiveness of the strike on the Kremenchuk refinery and the broader implications on fuel supply for Ukrainian forces remain uncertain, underscoring the volatile and rapidly evolving nature of the conflict.
