Ukraine has reportedly carried out a drone strike on a Russian oil depot, defying warnings from US President Donald Trump over an energy ceasefire. More than 500 drones are thought to have been deployed against targets in Russia overnight, with video clips showing the aftermath of what appeared to be a catastrophic attack.
First attack since ceasefire announcement
The offensive represents the first Ukrainian attack on energy infrastructure since Trump announced an "energy ceasefire" days earlier. Earlier this week, Trump maintained that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop targeting each other's energy infrastructure. The US also warned it would sever intelligence sharing and suspend the PURL weapons system if Kyiv resumed energy attacks.
Kyiv responded with: "We will burn Russian refineries."
Zelensky cites Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy sites
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian forces had targeted at least six Ukrainian energy installations since the US president announced the truce on Sunday. Energy infrastructure has been a recurring target for both nations.
Ukraine has progressively focused on Russian oil refineries and supply chains with long-range assaults in retaliation to Russian bombardments since the conflict began more than four-and-a-half years ago. Russia has continuously attempted to disable Ukraine's electricity and heating during successive winters.
UK support and sanctions push
On Tuesday, the UK's foreign affairs ministry confirmed Zelensky would reach the UK during the morning, and Britain urged international allies to intensify sanctions on Russia and increase pressure on Putin to honour the US appeals for an energy ceasefire.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated, prior to his meeting with Zelensky, "Our rock-solid support to Ukraine is vital for keeping us safe here in the UK and ensuring those on the frontlines have the equipment they need to push back Russia. My message to the Ukrainian people could not be clearer, we are with you for as long as it takes, and we will go further and faster in our support to back your courageous fight for peace in Europe."
"It is not just the right thing to do, but it's the necessary thing to do. Russia's aggression cannot be allowed to succeed on our continent."
