We continue to provide you with the latest news from the UKRAINE-RUSSIA War, live updates, what is happening on the front, Ukraine and Russia's losses, Putin and Zelensky's statements, the latest information from Kiev and Moscow, and even the Kremlin.
At the same time, we report the breaking news of Europe (UK, Germany, France, Poland, Turkey), the Baltic States and Nato, their aid to Ukraine and their moves against Russia.
In addition, we examine the moves of the US and Trump, and examine their relations with China, Canada, North Korea, and Japan.
Ukrainian forces have destroyed a large Russian thermobaric ammunition depot in Donetsk Oblast. The explosion destroyed a depot containing thermobaric rockets for heavy flamethrower systems such as the TOS-1A Solntsepek. These weapons are known as “vacuum bombs” that use oxygen in the environment during an explosion and can cause great destruction in buildings and shelters. Experts say it will be difficult for Russia to replenish these stocks.
The Ukrainian army aims to weaken Moscow’s war capability by frequently attacking Russian ammunition and fuel depots. In this context, a series of drone attacks were carried out on the Ilsky Oil Refinery in Krasnodar Krai, Russia. Fires broke out at the facility; this is considered a move to disrupt Russia’s war financing through oil revenues.
On the front lines, Ukrainian forces have recaptured some of the territory lost near Pokrovsk. In addition, the Ukrainian Air Force launched an airstrike with high-precision bombs on Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) positions in Bryansk Oblast. This operation significantly weakened Russia’s strategic infrastructure in the region. Ukraine has begun to use its F-16s not only for defensive purposes but also for more dangerous offensive missions.
According to the latest data from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russia has lost more than 874 thousand soldiers, more than ten thousand tanks, 370 aircraft and many heavy weapons systems since February 24, 2022. Despite these great losses, the war continues to be fierce.
Diplomacy and Support Initiatives
The meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House to discuss the peace agreement and rare earth minerals turned into a tense atmosphere. The fierce debate between the two leaders shook the Kiev-Washington relations.
European leaders gave messages of unconditional support to Zelenskyy after this tension. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that they are ready to send soldiers and aircraft as peacekeepers.
At the summit held in London, European countries discussed possible security guarantees to be offered to Ukraine and the conditions for a possible ceasefire with Russia. The leaders of Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Finland, Sweden and the Czech Republic also attended these talks.
After his meeting with US President Trump, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that defense spending would be increased and that billions of dollars of additional aid would be provided to Ukraine. With the US pressuring European countries to increase their defense spending, many countries have put figures exceeding 2% of GDP on their agenda.
Countries such as Finland, Poland, Spain and Japan have also announced additional financial and military support packages for Ukraine.
Conclusion
Ukraine's strikes on Russian ammunition and oil facilities deal a serious blow to Russia's war capability.
The more active use of F-16s shows that Ukraine will be more effective in air operations.
Europe is determined to increase its support for Kiev despite the Trump-Zelensky crisis. Security guarantees for Ukraine and possible violations by Russia are the priority issues in the peace talks. The tendency of NATO and European countries to invest more in defense seems to have a strong impact on the course of the war and the conditions of a possible peace agreement.