In the past week, Ukraine has escalated deep drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, knocking out up to 21% of refining capacity and worsening Moscow’s fuel shortages, forcing it to extend a petroleum export ban.

Russia responded with massive missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, killing 26.

Ukrainian forces continue to defend key eastern cities such as Pokrovsk and Lyman, while Russia redeploys elite units for a possible new offensive.

At sea, Moscow claimed its first successful naval drone strike near EU waters, sinking a Ukrainian vessel, though Ukraine also damaged a Russian warship, Al-Jazeera has reported.

Reports suggest Russia is discounting crude exports heavily to retain buyers amid shrinking refining capacity, while Ukraine develops long-range strike capabilities, including a new cruise missile potentially used near Crimea.