Ukrainian defense forces have reported successful strikes on a series of Russian military targets in occupied territories and within Russia. These strikes, conducted on May 25th and the nights of May 25-26th, included command posts in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts, as well as ground control stations, drone warehouses, and logistics depots. Further operations led to the shutdown of the Syzran Oil Refinery, damage to equipment and fuel tanks at the Yaroslavl linear production and dispatch station, and a direct hit on a radar station in Luhansk Oblast. These actions are part of a broader strategy to compel Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine.
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A new law signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin authorizes the deployment of the Russian army to protect Russian citizens facing prosecution or detention by foreign courts or international tribunals. This measure applies when foreign jurisdictions are not established through international treaties involving Russia or UN Security Council resolutions, and when Russia itself is not a participant in the proceedings. The law aims to safeguard Russians against what some officials describe as “repressive” foreign legal actions.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov informed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio of systematic strikes planned for facilities in Kyiv, which Russia alleges are used by Ukraine’s armed forces. Moscow frames these strikes as retaliation for a Ukrainian attack in Starobilske, a claim Ukraine denies, stating they targeted a Russian military command post. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister urges Western allies to provide proportional support through increased military aid and sanctions, emphasizing that Russia cannot achieve its objectives militarily.
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Ukrainian security forces successfully conducted a drone attack on the Vtorovo oil pumping station in Russia’s Vladimir Oblast on the night of May 24. This strategic facility, operated by the state-owned Transneft, supplies fuel to Moscow Oblast, including major airports. The strike, reportedly ordered by President Zelensky, resulted in a large-scale fire at the station. This operation is presented as a targeted strike on military and strategic infrastructure supporting Russian aggression, contrasting with alleged deliberate attacks on Ukrainian civilian targets.
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The Finnish President, Alexander Stubb, stated on Yle Radio Suomi that Ukraine is currently in its most advantageous military position since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. He characterized the current phase of the war as “pure mathematics,” noting that for every Ukrainian soldier lost, eight Russian soldiers are killed. Stubb further assessed that with declining support for the war in Russia, Ukraine now holds the upper hand.
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Growing frustration is evident among Russian elites concerning Vladimir Putin, fueled by the protracted war in Ukraine and the nation’s deteriorating economic landscape. This disillusionment stems from a sense of looming catastrophe, with many elites no longer defending Putin and lamenting the perceived self-destructive decisions being made. Despite internal discontent and falling approval ratings, Putin remains determined to continue the war, reportedly fixated on capturing the Donbas region by the end of 2026, with his ambitions potentially expanding if Ukraine appears to collapse. Discussions within the elite also reveal concerns over increasingly restrictive internet controls within Russia, drawing comparisons to North Korea.
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Amidst an intense aerial assault on Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported the use of Russia’s hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, marking its third deployment in the war. This powerful weapon, capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads, struck the Bila Tserkva area, causing widespread damage to buildings, including residential structures and schools, and resulting in at least two fatalities. Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed the Oreshnik’s use, alongside other missile types, in strikes targeting Ukrainian military command and control facilities, air bases, and military industrial enterprises. The ministry asserted these actions were in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on civilian sites within Russia, a claim Ukraine has refuted, calling them propaganda.
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Ukraine’s recent “long-range sanctions,” or more accurately, what appears to be a direct strike, have targeted a crucial fuel-pumping station vital to supplying central Russia and the Moscow region. This incident is significant because it strikes at the heart of Russia’s energy infrastructure, acting as a stark reminder to ordinary citizens that the ongoing conflict is far from the smooth operation often portrayed by official channels. The notion of a “gas station pretending to be a country” suddenly finding itself without gas, or at least the means to distribute it effectively, highlights a potential economic vulnerability being exposed.
The question of how easily such a critical piece of infrastructure can be replaced is paramount.… Continue reading
President Zelenskyy’s assertion that Ukraine has been defending Europe “fully, not with half measures” and his subsequent call for Ukraine to have a vote in the EU, in response to comments made by Mr. Merz, certainly presents a complex and emotionally charged scenario. From one perspective, the argument that Ukraine has been bearing the brunt of Russia’s aggression, thereby acting as a shield for the rest of the continent, holds significant weight. The sheer scale of the invasion and the devastating impact on Ukrainian lives and infrastructure undeniably paint a picture of a nation fighting not just for its own survival, but also for the broader security of Europe.… Continue reading
Ukraine’s persistent targeting of Russian oil infrastructure has once again brought the Sheskharis oil terminal on the Black Sea into focus, signaling a strategic escalation in the conflict. This latest reported strike on a critical energy facility underscores Ukraine’s determined efforts to cripple Russia’s war financing and disrupt its logistical capabilities. By focusing on these vital economic arteries, Ukraine aims to exert maximum pressure on a system that heavily relies on oil revenue to sustain its invasion.
The implications of such strikes are significant, forcing Russia into a precarious position. President Putin is now faced with a difficult choice: either redeploy air defense units from other regions, potentially leaving them vulnerable, or stand by and witness these crucial oil terminals and refineries succumb to damage.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood