🔗 Share this article

Ukraine's UAVs have struck the Russian Bashneft refinery in Ufa, situated approximately 1,400 km from the Ukrainian border, resulting in explosions and a fire, per a source in the Ukrainian SBU.

This constitutes the latest Ukrainian security service far-reaching assault in Bashkortostan in the recent weeks. Such operations demonstrate that there are no protected areas in the distant backlines of the Russian Federation.

Ukrainian President Calls On Trump to Mediate Truce in the Conflict

Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged President Trump to mediate a ceasefire in the Ukrainian conflict during a call on Saturday.

"Provided that a conflict can be stopped in a particular zone, then certainly additional conflicts can be ended as well, encompassing the Russian aggression," Zelenskyy said, praising Trump's "outstanding" Middle East ceasefire plan and requesting the American leader to compel the Kremlin into talks.

Russian Attacks Claim Lives in Ukraine

Russian attacks on Ukraine claimed the lives of 5 individuals on the weekend and disrupted electricity to parts of the southern Odesa oblast, according to local sources.

Two people were killed within a church in the town when it was hit, per municipal sources.

In Russia's border region of Belgorod, a vehicle operator was fatally wounded by a drone assault, as stated by municipal sources.

Energy Repair Efforts in Kyiv

Operations continued on the weekend to recover electricity in Kyiv, after Russian attacks.

Power had been restored to in excess of 800,000 citizens by the weekend and the biggest utility provider stated the primary work to restore power was concluded though partial blackouts continued.

Anti-Aircraft Efforts and UAV Interceptions

The Ukrainian anti-aircraft systems neutralized fifty-four of 78 total UAVs from Russia launched towards the country during the night, the aerial defense command reported on Saturday.

The Russian defence ministry said it eliminated 42 UAVs from Ukraine over Russian territory.

Cuba Denies Allegations of Deploying Forces to Ukraine

The Cuban government on Saturday rejected American allegations it has deployed soldiers to participate in the Ukraine war, while affirming the government "are without exact data about Cuban nationals" engaged "on their own" or "as part of the armed units of the conflicting parties".

The ministry in Havana said 26 Cubans had been sentenced to prison terms from 5 to 14 years for participating as mercenaries since September 2023 when information emerged of Cubans being dispatched to the frontlines in Ukraine.

Surrender Initiative Program Reveals Data on Cuban Enlistment

I Want to Live, a Ukrainian government initiative that urges adversaries to lay down arms, reported in spring: "We reliably know the personal data of one thousand and twenty-eight Cubans who enlisted with the Moscow's troops in 2023-2024."

The Cuban authorities said of Cubans who might be participating: "Undeniably that no individual has the backing, dedication, or authorization of the government in Havana for their activities."

Family members of Cuban nationals who traveled to the Russian Federation in the year informed news outlets at the time that their relatives had been tricked into joining through ads on online platforms.