Newest Oil Plant Attack Demonstrates 'Absolutely No Protected Locations in the Russian Distant Backlines'

Ukraine's drones have targeted the Russian oil facility in the city of Ufa, located around 1,400 km from the Ukrainian border, triggering blasts and a blaze, as reported by a source in the Ukrainian intelligence agency.

This represents the third intelligence deep strike in the region in the past month. Such strikes illustrate that there are no secure zones in the deep rear of the Russian state.

Ukrainian President Urges US President to Mediate Ceasefire in the Conflict

President Zelenskyy appealed to Donald Trump to broker peace in Ukraine in a phone call on the weekend.

"Provided that a war can be stopped in a particular zone, then undoubtedly further hostilities can be ended as well, encompassing the Russian aggression," the President said, commending the US President's "outstanding" Gaza ceasefire plan and requesting the President to pressure the Moscow into discussions.

Russian Assaults Claim Lives in the Country

Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory resulted in the deaths of several civilians on Saturday and disrupted electricity to parts of Ukraine's south Odesa area, per Ukrainian officials.

Two civilians lost their lives in a religious building in the town when it was targeted, as reported by local authorities.

In Russia's border region of Belgorod, a truck driver was fatally wounded by a drone assault, as stated by local officials.

Electricity Recovery Work in the Capital

Efforts continued on the weekend to restore power in the Ukrainian capital, after strikes by Moscow.

Power had been restored to in excess of 800,000 citizens by Saturday and the major private energy company said the primary work to recover electricity was finished though partial blackouts remained.

Air Defence Operations and UAV Interceptions

Ukraine's anti-aircraft systems intercepted or jammed fifty-four of 78 UAVs from Russia sent against the country overnight, the air force announced on Saturday.

The Russian defence ministry stated it intercepted forty-two UAVs from Ukraine over Russian territory.

Cuban Government Denies Allegations of Sending Soldiers to Ukraine

Havana on Saturday rejected American claims it has provided soldiers to participate in the conflict in Ukraine, while declaring officials in Havana "do not have precise details about individuals" participating "voluntarily" or "within the troops of either party".

The government department in the capital stated twenty-six Cubans had been sentenced to incarceration varying between five up to fourteen years for participating as mercenaries since last September when information circulated of Cubans being deployed to the frontlines in the conflict.

Surrender Initiative Initiative Reveals Details on Cuban National Involvement

The surrender initiative, a Ukrainian government initiative that promotes enemy combatants to surrender, stated in May: "We have confirmed the personal data of 1,028 individuals who entered into agreements with the Russian armed forces in the past two years."

The government in Havana said of Cuban nationals who might be engaged: "Undeniably that no individual has the encouragement, dedication, or authorization of the government in Havana for their activities."

Family members of Cuban nationals who departed to the Russian Federation in 2023 informed Agence France-Presse at the time that their family members had been tricked into joining through ads on digital networks.

Anna Welch
Anna Welch

Mikael Voss is a passionate gaming journalist with over a decade of experience covering esports and indie game development.