Recent Oil Plant Strike Demonstrates 'Absolutely No Protected Locations in the Russian Far Hinterland'
Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have struck the Russian Bashneft processing plant in the city of Ufa, located around 1,400 km from Ukraine, causing explosions and a inferno, as reported by a source in Ukraine's intelligence agency.
This marks the third Ukrainian security service far-reaching assault in the region in the recent weeks. Such strikes illustrate that there are no protected areas in the deep rear of the Russian Federation.
Zelenskyy Urges US President to Broker Peace in Ukraine
The Ukrainian leader called on the US President to broker peace in Ukraine during a phone call on the weekend.
"When a conflict can be ended in a particular zone, then undoubtedly further hostilities can be ended as well, covering the Russian war," he said, hailing Trump's "remarkable" Gaza ceasefire plan and calling for the President to pressure the Moscow into negotiations.
Moscow's Attacks Take Casualties in Ukraine
Moscow's assaults on Ukraine resulted in the deaths of several civilians on Saturday and cut power to sections of the southern Odesa region, according to local sources.
Two people died inside a place of worship in the town when it was struck, as reported by local authorities.
In the Russian border region of Belgorod, a vehicle operator was killed by a Ukrainian strike, according to regional authorities.
Energy Recovery Work in Kyiv
Efforts proceeded on the weekend to recover electricity in Kyiv, after Russian attacks.
Power had been recovered to more than 800,000 citizens by Saturday and the biggest utility provider announced the primary efforts to repair the grid was complete though partial blackouts remained.
Anti-Aircraft Actions and UAV Jamming
Ukraine's air defences neutralized fifty-four of 78 total enemy drones sent against Ukraine in the dark hours, the aerial defense command reported on Saturday.
The Russian military authorities said it shot down forty-two drones over Russian territory.
Cuba Refutes Claims of Providing Forces to the War
Cuba on the weekend denied US allegations it has sent soldiers to participate in the Ukraine war, while stating the government "lack exact information about individuals" engaged "independently" or "as part of the armed units of either party".
The ministry in Havana stated 26 nationals had been convicted to prison terms ranging from five up to fourteen years for participating as mercenaries since September 2023 when news circulated of Cuban nationals being dispatched to the battlefield in Ukraine.
Surrender Initiative Program Reports Information on Cuban Recruitment
I Want to Live, a Ukrainian government initiative that encourages enemy combatants to lay down arms, reported in May: "We have confirmed the identities and information of 1,028 Cubans who signed contracts with the Russian armed forces in the past two years."
The Cuban authorities said of those who might be engaged: "There is no doubt that no individual has the support, allegiance, or consent of the government in Havana for their activities."
Relatives of Cuban nationals who departed to the Russian Federation in the year reported to Agence France-Presse at the time that their loved ones had been deceptively recruited through promotions on online platforms.