Newest Oil Plant Assault Demonstrates 'Zero Protected Areas in the Russian Distant Backlines'

Ukrainian drones have hit Russia's Bashneft facility in Ufa, positioned around 1,400 kilometres from Ukraine, triggering explosions and a fire, per a informed individual in the Ukrainian intelligence agency.

This marks the third SBU deep strike in the region in the past month. These strikes show that there are no protected areas in the deep rear of the Russian state.

Zelenskyy Urges Trump to Facilitate Peace in Ukraine

The Ukrainian leader appealed to Donald Trump to broker peace in Ukraine in a call on Saturday.

"When a hostilities can be ended in a single area, then surely other wars can be stopped as well, covering the Russian war," Zelenskyy remarked, commending the US President's "exceptional" Middle East truce proposal and requesting the President to influence the Kremlin into negotiations.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Lives in Ukraine

Moscow's assaults on Ukraine resulted in the deaths of 5 individuals on Saturday and disrupted electricity to parts of the southern Odesa oblast, according to authorities in Ukraine.

Two civilians were killed in a church in the town when it was targeted, as reported by municipal sources.

In Russia's adjacent territory of the Belgorod region, a truck driver was lost his life by a Ukrainian strike, per local officials.

Energy Recovery Work in the Capital

Operations continued on Saturday to recover electricity in the Ukrainian capital, after strikes by Moscow.

Energy had been returned to in excess of 800,000 citizens by the weekend and the largest utility provider announced the main work to restore power was finished though some outages persisted.

Air Defence Operations and Drone Downings

Ukraine's anti-aircraft systems downed or disrupted 54 of 78 Russian drones launched towards the country during the night, the air force said on Saturday.

Russia's military authorities said it shot down 42 enemy drones over Russian territory.

Cuba Denies Accusations of Sending Forces to Ukraine

Cuba on Saturday denied US claims it has sent military personnel to participate in the hostilities, while stating officials in Havana "lack exact information about citizens of Cuba" participating "voluntarily" or "as part of the armed units of the conflicting parties".

The government department in the capital announced twenty-six Cubans had been given prison terms to jail sentences ranging from 5 to 14 years for mercenary involvement since last September when reports circulated of individuals being deployed to the frontlines in the conflict.

Surrender Initiative Program Reveals Details on Cuban Enlistment

The surrender initiative, a state project that encourages opposing fighters to give up, reported in spring: "We have confirmed the personal data of over a thousand Cubans who entered into agreements with the Russian military in the past two years."

The Cuban foreign ministry said of Cubans who might be engaged: "It is irrefutable that not a single one have the support, allegiance, or approval of the government in Havana for their activities."

Relatives of Cuban nationals who left for Russia in 2023 reported to international media at the time that their loved ones had been deceptively recruited through ads on social media.

Hayley Coleman
Hayley Coleman

A digital strategist with over a decade of experience in social media marketing, specializing in video content creation and audience growth.