Following Russian attacks on several Ukrainian cities and regions, including Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the critical need for international partners, particularly the US, G7, G20, and European nations, to exert pressure on Russia. These strikes, which involved guided aerial bombs and drone attacks, resulted in civilian casualties, including children, and numerous injuries. Zelenskyy specifically highlighted the importance of targeting Russia’s energy sector, oil fleet, and financial system, alongside strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities, particularly air defense.
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Systematic Ukrainian strikes have significantly crippled Russia’s oil refining capacity, disabling 42.7% of its total projected output by early July 2026. This has resulted in a severe domestic fuel crisis, with localized shortages reported in over 50 regions and disruptions affecting freight transport. In response, Ukraine is pushing for new EU sanctions to curb third-country fuel exports to Russia, while Russia has increased its reliance on imports from countries like India, Kazakhstan, and Belarus. These energy infrastructure attacks follow a series of coordinated drone strikes on key oil terminals and power plants across Russia.
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A historic decision has been made as the Netherlands has agreed to host the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. This tribunal, backed by a coalition of 36 countries and the European Union, is crucial for filling a gap in international law by focusing specifically on prosecuting senior Russian officials for the crime of aggression. President Zelensky highlighted the significance of this move, stating it will enable accountability for Russia’s top political and military leadership for initiating the illegal war. Additionally, discussions between Zelensky and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten addressed the aftermath of recent Russian attacks on Kyiv and reinforced ongoing cooperation in air defense and defense capabilities.
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An analysis by BBC Russian, Mediazona, and volunteers indicates that at least 920 Russian drone operators have been killed since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. This figure is derived from publicly available information, suggesting the actual number may be higher.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed that “massive, coordinated strikes against the infrastructure of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and the facilities supporting its operation must continue.” This directive follows Russia’s largest attack on Kyiv of the full-scale war, which resulted in numerous civilian casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure. Putin, meeting with military commanders, framed these strikes as targeting military objectives, while also calling for the expansion of a “security zone” along Russia’s border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, decried these actions as “aerial terror” in response to battlefield setbacks and internal issues.
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In response to ongoing reports, Tusk affirmed the nation’s preparedness for a range of scenarios, acknowledging the necessity of addressing potential threats. This awareness is bolstered by crucial intelligence shared by allied nations, underscoring a proactive stance against emerging dangers. The government is therefore diligently preparing for various situations, emphasizing that such preparations are not to be feared but are a prudent measure in light of current intelligence.
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Russia is set to import approximately 200,000 barrels of jet fuel from Japan, a move necessitated by a domestic fuel shortage exacerbated by Ukrainian strikes on its energy infrastructure. The fuel will be loaded in Chiba, Japan, and transshipped to Russia via South Korea, likely through a ship-to-ship transfer. This significant import underscores the impact of sustained Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, which have targeted a substantial portion of the country’s refining capacity since the full-scale invasion began.
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Gasoline has vanished from all public filling stations in Novorossiysk, with only diesel remaining, highlighting deepening fuel shortages across Russia. This scarcity is impacting daily life, with public transport reducing air conditioning, taxi fares increasing, and fewer vehicles on the road. While the general public faces these restrictions, motorists with corporate fuel cards and priority access for government officials and state employees persist in some regions, suggesting a deliberate redirection of limited resources. These fuel issues coincide with Ukraine’s sustained efforts to disrupt Russian logistics, leading to a significant reduction in Russia’s oil refining capacity and gasoline production.
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State Secretary of Belarus’s Security Council, Alexander Volfovich, has advised Belarusian citizens to avoid travel to Russia, particularly border regions, citing security risks and frequent drone incidents. This warning follows Russian media reports of a drone striking a Belarusian passenger bus in Russia’s Bryansk region, an event Ukraine denies involvement in, calling it a Russian provocation aimed at deflecting attention from their own strikes. The situation unfolds amidst Ukraine’s fortification of its northern border with Belarus and the reported cessation of Russian drone relay operations in Belarusian territory, underscoring heightened tensions.
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As fuel shortages intensify across Russia, gas stations in multiple regions are now prioritizing fuel sales for government officials and employees of state institutions. Reports indicate that stations in Saratov, Volgograd, and Krasnodar have implemented these restrictions, allowing only emergency vehicles, government employees with official identification, or holders of special fuel cards to purchase gasoline. These measures coincide with a broader fuel crisis in Russia, exacerbated by Ukraine’s campaign to disrupt the country’s logistics and energy infrastructure, which has significantly reduced Russia’s refining output.
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John Q. Hosedrinker